Sam Short, Swimming World’s Male Breakout Swimmer of the Year, Is Latest Distance Star From Down Under
Australian production of elite distance performers is well known, the likes of Murray Rose, Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett carrying the torch for the Land Down Under. Really, it was just a matter of time before the latest star emerged for the Dolphins, and his name is Sam Short.
The 20-year-old has been named Swimming World Magazine’s Breakout Male Swimmer of the Year, thanks to a 2023 season that put his distance acumen on display. While Short medaled twice at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, including gold in the 1500 freestyle, his performances at the World Champs signified a breakthrough on the worldwide stage.
As Australia topped the gold-medal count at last summer’s World Championships in Fukuoka, Short captured gold in the 400-meter freestyle and added a silver medal in the 800 freestyle. For good measure, he claimed a bronze medal in the 1500 freestyle to complete a full collection of medals in the distance-freestyle events.
Short’s premier effort arrived in the 400 freestyle, where he clocked in at 3:40.68 to narrowly fend off reigning Olympic champion Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia, who touched the wall in 3:40.70. Short and Hafnaoui battled stroke for stroke into the wall while becoming the fourth- and fifth-fastest performers in history.
En route to the silver medal in the 800 freestyle, Short finished behind Hafnaoui, who won gold in 7:37.00. However, the Aussie established an Oceania record with his time of 7:37.76, almost a second quicker than Hackett’s former standard. Meanwhile, in the 1500 freestyle, Short secured his third appearance on the podium, as his mark of 14:37.28 was good for the bronze medal.
The distance events at the World Champs were nothing short of sensational, and additional tight battles are expected to highlight the next Olympic Games in Paris. Certainly, Short will be a prime figure in the chase for medals, his status as the latest Aussie distance star firmly established.