Australian Trials, Day 3 Finals: Sam Short Has More To Give After Stunning 800 Freestyle Win in 7:40.95; And a New Star Is Born
Sam Short has emerged as a real medal threat in the 800m freestyle at this year’s World Championships in Singapore, declaring the best is yet to come after an impressive time of 7:40.95 at the Australian Trials in Adelaide.
The 21-year-old from Rackley (Coach: Damien Jones) looked super impressive as he went from strength to strength to post the third fastest time of the year behind German pair Sven Schwarz (7:38.12) and Lukas Martens (7:39.10).
Here are Short’s splits: (54.45; 1:51.94; 2:49.74; 3.47.95; 4:46.20; 5:44.74; 6:43.40; 7:40.95), his first and last 50m splits at 26.09 and 28.30, respectively.
Short said: “I just really wanted to start out the race as best I could. I’m trying to be fearless. I put one out there, although I was a bit complacent towards end.
“It’s always easy when you’ve got those internationals next to you, but 7.40 tonight with more to come, I’m happy.”
And while all eyes were on Short as he churned through 16 impressive laps, Australia has unearthed a rising star in another 21-year-old in Benjamin Goedemans (St Peters Western, QLD) under master coach Dean Boxall.
Tipped as one of the new faces to watch coming into the meet, Goedemans delivered in spades, clocking a time of 7:46.16 for a huge personal best time. It moved him into eighth in the world and as Australia’s eighth fastest 800m swimmer ever, alongside the country’s distance swimming royalty.
“I’m speechless,” said Goedemans.
“I was coming in here, thinking more about the 1500, but after the 400m, I thought I was on and can hold others off and I’m so happy to actually be on the team,” said Goedemans who overtook his St Peters training partner Elijah Winnington, who he praised after the swim.
“It’s amazing, to be able to swim with Elijah, who I idolise and just being able to train with him is great.
“I wouldn’t be here without him and the rest of the squad and the support staff that we have at St. Peters.”