Source : ABC NEWS
Jenna Forrester’s outstanding 2026 has continued at the Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney, lowering the Australian women’s 400m individual medley record on her way to gold.
The 23-year-old beat Ellen Fullerton’s 17-year-old mark with a time of 4:28.39, taking 0.33 seconds off the record.
The time was comfortably under the qualifying standard for the upcoming world championships in Beijing.
Remarkably, Forrester had only just competed in the 200 backstroke, finishing second to Iona Anderson, also swimming under the qualification time for Beijing.
Iona Anderson held on to beat a fast-finishing Forrester in the 200m backstroke. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
“That was a shock. I came here with no expectations, just to jump in and have a bit of fun,” Forrester said after the race.
“I haven’t done a lot of short course and that hurt doubling up [with the 200m backstroke] but I’ve done a lot of double-ups, especially internationally.”
Forrester has already had a year to remember in 2026, claiming three individual gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the 200m backstroke, 200m IM and 400m IM, as well as winning bronze in the 400m freestyle.
She also won silver in the 400m IM at the Pan Pacs in California behind Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh.
Just 24 athletes will be selected for the team that will head to China and the famous Water Cube from December 1-6 — and Forrester has put her hand up to be one of them.
“I’ve always wanted to represent Australia at [the World] short course,” Forrester said.
“Hopefully this year is my year.”
Anderson, who also claimed four medals at the Commonwealth Games, including gold in the 100m backstroke and silver in the 50m, did her chances of selection no harm by claiming her second title of the meet.
Southam delivers statement win
In the men’s 100m freestyle, Commonwealth Games champ Flynn Southam cruised to victory with a rapid 45.61.
“It’s good to back up after Comm Games and be consistent but it’s been pretty hard to stay motivated,” Southam said.
“I’m pretty stoked with that time, to be honest … bring on the World Champs.”
The 21-year-old Bond swimmer was a scratching from the 200m freestyle on the opening night to focus on the four-length dash, and he duly delivered, beating Ed Sommerville into silver by 0.45 seconds.
Flynn Southam is eyeing up the world championships in Beijing. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
Southam, who won gold in the 4x50m freestyle relay at the 2022 short course worlds in Melbourne, as well as picking up three relay silvers and a bronze, said is ready to make the jump to claim an individual medal in Beijing.
“The last time I raced short course was the worlds in Melbourne four years ago so I’m really looking forward to racing the big dogs,” he said.
“Comm Games was a good taste test for me with Matt Richards [Wales] and obviously Kyle [Chalmers].
“I know David Popovici [Romania’s Olympic 200m champion] isn’t doing worlds but Jack Alexy [USA] is someone else on my list who I’m looking forward to racing.
“As for expectation — bring on the pressure. Sometimes it does make me nervous, but I love it, and I breathe it.”
Olivia Wunsch claimed the 100m free by almost a second and a half in a dominant performance. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
In the women’s 100m free, Olivia Wunsch needed a personal best of 51.72 to beat Lani Pallister into silver.
The 20-year-old led from the gun to power away from the field, beating distance specialist Pallister by a colossal 1.46 seconds.
“It was pretty special to go under 52 for the first time. Doing 52 at World Cups last year was nice, but I think I surprised myself a little bit off the sort of short prep I’ve had into short course,” Wunsch said.
“I had about three weeks off in total … it’s been nice to just get back in the water, swim a little bit less, and just focus on getting my speed and enjoying getting back into it.”
Rowan Crothers claimed a second victory of the week following his world record on Tuesday. (Supplied: Swimming Australia/Delly Carr)
In the men’s multiclass 50m freestyle, Rowan Crothers equalled his national record to beat S10 rival Alex Tuckwell into silver.
“I’m blessed to be Australian and to have the chance to race the best in the world over and over again at these meets … watch this space because we’ll be sharing a podium in LA,” Tuckfield said.
Two-time Paralympic champion Crothers simply said it was “bloody exciting” to see how fast his 21-year-old rival was going.
