Australian Champs, Day 1 Finals: Sam Short Shows The World He’s Back With A Vengeance In 3:41.21 To Win the 400m Freestyle
Former world champion Sam Short arrived into Adelaide determined to show the world he was back and that’s just what he delivered at the SA Aquatic And Leisure Centre tonight.
Sam Short and Elijah Winnington 2025 Australian Trials Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
After setting a crackling pace in the morning, clocking 3:43.21 in the heats of the 400m freestyle, Short (Rackley Swim Team, QLD) backed up with a faster world class time to win the final in 3:41.03 (53.32; 1:48.81; 2:45.28) tonight.
Times that sit comfortably second behind Germany’s recent world record breaker Lukas Martens (3:39.96) and just ahead of another former world champion from 2022, Elijah Winnington (St Peters Western, QLD) 3:43.99 and rising star Benjamin Goedemans (St Peters Western, QLD) 3:45 57 – also under the QT of 3:47.54.
“I really wanted to do that tonight,” said Short.
“I’ve been trying to do that swim this year. Last year I didn’t live up to my own expectations, but I’ve worked really hard this year both mentally and physically.
“I’m trying to have fun with it, I’ve had a great year so far, now I’ve booked the ticket (to Singapore) I will give my best to race the best in the world.”
When asked what he did to pull himself back from a tough year, Short was quick to thank his parents and his support network.
“I’m really grateful that I have great parents, I have a great support network back home.
“Both Damien Jones and Tim Dilger, my coaches and the support staff at Rackley’s have all really come around me and given me every opportunity to improve.”
And Sam’s thoughts on seeing the 400m world record go earlier in the year ?
“I mean of course it puts more fire in the belly; it’s a lot different under race situations, Elijah’s the best when he gets it done on the world stage and I’d like to think I’m pretty good too so bring it on in Singapore,” said Short.
Winnington admitting “It was pretty tough out here.”
“I mentioned this morning to the media that Trials is about making the team, I’ve booked my ticket and now have 5 1/2 weeks to get prepared,” said the Olympic silver medallist.
LONG AND THE SHIORT: Sam Short in action 2025 Selection Trials Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
And his thoughts on the World Record swim by Lukas Martens in April….?
“As for Lucas breaking the world record and going under 3min 40 for the first time, us Aussies are really proud of this event,” said Winnington.
“We have Thorpey here commentating, Grant Hackett as well so for Shorty and I it’s exciting that we can push each other to try and break that barrier.”
Australia has a proud 400m freestyle record when it comes to the 400m freestyle with an unbeaten record between 1994 and 2005 with Kieren Perkins winning in Rome in 1994; Ian Thorpe (Perth in 1998 as a 15-year-old; 2001 in Fukuoka and 2003 in Barcelona before Grant Hackett won in Montreal in 2005 – Winnington winning in Budapest in 2022 and Short in Fukuoka in 2023.
