Aussie gun swims fastest 800m outside infamous ‘super suits’ era
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Sam Short shattered his own national 800-metre freestyle record at the Australian swimming trials on Wednesday night – and became the fastest in history outside the infamous “super suits” era.
Meanwhile, Mollie O’Callaghan gave Ariarne Titmus′ 200m freestyle world record a massive shake, falling short of the retired legend’s mark by just .63 of a second.
Sam Short post-race on Wednesday night. Getty
Short, who also set a new Commonwealth record, won the 800m final in 7:36.73 to slice more than a second off the time he swam to claim silver at the 2023 world championships in Japan.
The world record remains Chinese star Lin Zhang’s 7:32.12, but that was set in an infamous “super suit” at the 2009 world championships.
Short is now the third-fastest 800m freestyler in history, and the fastest to have swum the distance in a textile outfit.
His 800m win follows victories in the 200m and 400m at the Sydney trials. He will tackle the 1500m on Friday night with his sights set on racing all four events at this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“The plan was to go out early. I got sick at last year’s worlds, and I watched the boys go out in 3.48 high, and I just know that if I was in that final line, it’d be a different race,” Short said.
“I’ve got the extra speed at the start, so I’m one of those guys that if I hit my tempo, I can stay there if I feel pretty fresh.
“... I got a PB [personal best] by a second. I haven’t done that since 2023. It’s only my second time sub-7.40, so it’s the small wins.”
O’Callaghan won the 200m freestyle final in 1:52.86.
The Olympic gold medallist was ahead of Titmus’ 1:52.23 world record as she navigated the final lap, but faded late.
O’Callaghan said breaking Titmus’ 200m world record was “one hundred per cent” on the table.
“I think the end game is to keep improving, especially [when it comes to] myself,” she said.
“I’m so young and I think I’ve evolved very quickly in this 200m ... so to see if I can keep pushing the boundaries and to do the impossible is the end goal.”
Mollie O'Callaghan after her sizzling win in Sydney. Mollie O'Callaghan.
Wednesday night also saw Jamie Jack, the younger brother of Shayna, secure qualification for his first senior Dolphins team.
The rising star finished second in the 50m freestyle final in 21.52, behind world record holder Cameron McEvoy (21.32).
Jamie and Shayna Jack are hoping to be on the plane together on an Australian team for the first time for the Commonwealth Games, beginning on July 23.
The Sydney meet doubles as trials for the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships, taking place in Irvine, California in August.