Australian young gun Sam Short has been denied the gold medal in the men’s 800-metre freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships despite setting a new national record.
The 19-year-old broke Grant Hackett’s Australian record and swam the fourth fastest time in men’s 800-metre freestyle history with an incredible 7:37.76, but was pipped to the gold medal by Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui (7:37.00).
”I knew he’d come back fast as he did,” Short told Nine after the race.
“I got Hackett’s Australian record, so that’s one goal ticked off the list.
“It was brutal. My strategy was to use my 400-metre speed to my advantage and to tire out Bobby (Finke).
“I think I executed as well as I could today and that shows in my PB.”
USA’s Finke, who was the reigning Olympic champion in the 800-metre freestyle, finished in third with a time of 7:38.67.
MORE TO COME