2023 AUSTRALIAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS
- Tuesday, June 13th – Sunday, June 18th
- Prelims at 10am local (8pm previous day EDT)/Finals at 7pm local (5am EDT)
- Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Center
- LCM (50m)
- World Championships Selection Criteria
- Meet Central
- Final Start List
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap/Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap/Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap/Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Live Results
- Livestream (9now)
19-year-old Sam Short wowed the world with a dominating performance in the men’s 800m freestyle to capture gold on day three of the 2023 Australian World Championship Trials.
The Rackley teen clocked a massive personal best of 7:40.39 to beat out Elijah Winnington who also qualified for Fukuoka with a silver medal-worthy result of 7:45.75.
As we reported, Short now checks in as the 3rd fastest Aussie in history as well as the 10th swiftest performer of all time.
En route to his victory, Short overtook Olympic icon Ian Thorpe‘s longstanding All Comers Record of 7:41.59 he put on the books in 2001.
Now Short has eyes on legend Grant Hackett‘s national record of 7:38.65 that’s been in place since 2005.
“He’s [Grant Hackett] got that legendary 7.38 [time] which is probably the fastest… and that’s what I’m chasing down,” Short said today.
“I think with someone next to me, I’m a racer. It definitely gives me a lot of confidence going into Worlds.”
Short doesn’t have time to rest on his laurels, however, as he has the 1500m free coming up on Saturday.
Looking ahead to that race, Short said, “I mean I won it last year at the Commonwealth Games and I don’t think I’d be anywhere near as good in the events I swim if I didn’t do the 1500m training, it just makes me a tougher person all round. I reckon I’ve got a big PB in me in two days time [1500m final], just hit that rhythm and last a little bit longer, we’re already halfway there, so I’m pretty excited.”
On the women’s side, the primetime race to watch was the 200m freestyle, which pitted reigning Olympic and Commonwealth Games champion Ariarne Titmus against St. Peters Western teammate Mollie O’Callaghan.
19-year-old O’Callaghan wound up at the wall first, crushing a new lifetime best and world-leading mark of 1:53.83. Titmus still produced a season-best effort of 1:54.14 en route to silver.
After she caught her breath, O’Callaghan said of her performance, “Extremely happy with that. Going into nationals I was hoping to go 1.54 or 1.53 and that didn’t happen. To do it now I’m just over the moon.
“There have been a lot of things I’ve been working on and trying to improve on, and with [coach] Dean [Boxall] and the team helping me out, it’s obviously worked.”
As for Fukuoka, O’Callaghan remarked, “This time, I kind of have a bit more knowledge on my side. Last time [2022 World Championships] I went in absolutely nervous, I was a big wreck going into it just because it was my first international meet doing individuals [events]… and this time I kind of have some knowledge on how to work around the international stage with thinks like marshaling, preparation and the travel.
“This year is a big learning experience for next year [Paris Olympic Games] and I think going in with a bit more confidence this time will help a lot.”
On her runner-up status, Titmus commented, “When you look at the scoreboard at the end of the final and see that, and most of the women in the field are under the individual qualifying time which is incredible. It just goes to show the incredible depth that we have, which I feel really grateful to be a part of. To have five St Peter’s Western girls in the final, it’s kind of just like training.”
As for Titmus’ race strategy, she said, “My backend has always been my strength but coming into this meet I know that I had to try and practice my front end a little bit more. So this morning, I did that in the heat and I felt quite good. I haven’t checked my splits from tonight but we’ll see. I think with a little bit more of a rest, hopefully my legs will freshen up a bit going into worlds.
“But it’s just about getting on the plane [to World Championships] and doing my job when I get there.”
O’Callaghan adds the 200m free to her 100m back qualification while Titmus adds the 2free to her 400m free selection. Short, too, now has multiple events, with this 800m free doubling up with his 400m free victory from night one.
