Cate Campbell makes sensational return to claim short course world record

Cate Campbell has returned to the pool with a bang clocking a new short course world record in the 100 metres freestyle on the opening night of the Australian Short Course Swimming Championships in Adelaide.

The 25-year-old from Brisbane, who chose not to swim this year's world championships, clocked a time of 50.25 - to take 0.33 seconds off the previous world mark set by Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom in August.

Campbell wasted no time off the blocks, setting a cracking pace of 23.21 though the first 50m - 0.28 under world record pace.

She then powered away from fellow Olympic gold medal relay teammates sister Bronte (52.01) and Emma McKeon (52.25).

"It's great to be swimming fast," Campbell said.

"I've put together some really good solid weeks of training and I've really been working hard.

"It's great to see it's really starting to pay off.

"There were a couple of times (when) I came back into training I was thinking 'oh man' it's a long way back.

"But the body remembers and I've been doing this for a long time and taking a year off this year is the best thing I've ever done.

"I've come back refreshed and I've got a new love for the sport, a new perspective and I'm more motivated than ever for the Commonwealth Games."

Later in the night Olympic 100m freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers made his successful comeback from his June heart surgery to win the men's 100m freestyle in 47.72 in an all Marion Swimming Club SA trifecta.

Chalmers powered away to beat Andrew Abood (48.06) and Rio Olympic 400 individual medley finalist Travis Mahoney (48.17).