Distance Dominator Sam Short Returns To Training Chasing World Short Course Glory In Beijing

Distance Dominator Sam Short Returns To Training Chasing World Short Course Glory In Beijing

Australia’s middle-distance freestyle golden boy Sam Short has returned to coaching in Brisbane this week – his sights set firmly on the World Short Course Championships in Beijing in December.

Short has been one of many actual stand-out performers on the worldwide stage all through 2026, successful of seven gold medals on the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs together with particular person doubles within the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle in a dominant marketing campaign.

In Irvine, simply two weeks after the Glasgow Games, Short broke Ian Thorpe’s 1999 Pan Pac 400m freestyle file and in addition lowered Grant Hackett’s 2001 Australian 1500m mark -earning him the Male Swimmer of the Meet Award.

But the 23-year-old hasn’t been idle in his day off over the previous month, since returning residence, making a number of appearances; together with a swim college convention with Olympic champion Duncan Armstrong, and as a visitor of honour at an NRL soccer sport on the Gold Coast with fellow Games and Pan Pac star, Olympic silver medallist and world champion Meg Harris.

Short and one other fellow Rackley Swim Team member, two-time Olympic medallist Tommy Neil, additionally attended the annual age group 2026 Battle of Brisbane meet the place they addressed the 140-strong groups and their dad and mom – earlier than commentating on the meet at Somerville House. Some who could be on present when Brisbane hosts the 2032 Olympics.

ON THE MIC: Olympians Sam Short (centre) and Tommy Neil be a part of your Swimming World correspondent to name the Battle of Brisbane. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos.

An thrilling age group groups occasion, which featured 4 groups – three of groups named after Brisbane Olympic stars Stephanie Rice, Jessicah Schipper and Mitch Larkin and a fourth crew representing the Wide Bay space.

“It was important to connect with the swimming community in South-East Queensland and give back to the sport – and having some fun along the way,” stated Short.

“The Battle of Brisbane is an actual winner for the children aged 9 to 12 and the power generated was improbable – swimming for his or her groups.

“And to sit with Duncan on a panel at the Australian Swim Schools conference was amazing – we had a great chat – he’s such a true Aussie icon and an inspiration.”

But it’s time to get again to enterprise for Short who will likely be one of many stars on the up-coming Australian Short Course Championships and Beijing Selection Trials in Sydney from September 29 to October 2.

“I’ll be swimming at the Short Course Championships with my sights set on the World Championships in Beijing so it’s back to the grind,” stated Short.

And for Neil, who suffered a damaged hand through the pre-Commonwealth Games Camp in Darmstadt, Germany, forcing him out of the Games and the Pan Pacs, has additionally returned to coaching this week, his sights on the Queensland Championships in December.

BATTLE WON: Swimming Brisbane President Ray Clarson presents the Battle of Brisbane trophy to the Team Mitch Larkin captains. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos (Swimming Brisbane).

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Battle of Brisbane winners Team Mitch Larkin with Swimming Brisbane president Ray Clarson. Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan Photos (Swimming Brisbane)