The 22-year-old won the race by nearly 11 seconds, setting national, Oceanian and Commonwealth records and improving on his previous best of 7:37.76 set at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. He also lowered his all-comers record established at the 2023 Australian trials.
Short’s time makes him the third-fastest swimmer in the category, behind China’s Zhang Lin (7:32.12) and Tunisia’s Oussama Mellouli (7:35.27), both of whom achieved their times at the 2009 World Championships during the supersuit era.
He also set a textile suit world record, surpassing Tunisian Ahmed Jaouadi’s mark of 7:36.88 from last year’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Short has now qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which begin in July, in three freestyle disciplines, including the 200m and 400m as well.