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Larkin: Aussie swimming back to glory days

Two world records, five Commonwealth records, and three national records all fell at the Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney.

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Source: AAP


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Australia has continued its re-emergence as a leading force in the pool after a record-breaking meet at the national short course championships in Sydney.

Two world records, five Commonwealth records, and three national records all fell over four days, backing up the Dolphins' impressive medal haul in August's World Championships in Russia.

It all points towards a strong preparation for next year's Olympics in Rio.

"I think people are starting to say swimming's getting back to its glory days. I really hope it is," said backstroke king Mitch Larkin.

"As you can see, there was some really good swims. Hopefully that's momentum to next year."

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Larkin became the country's first world record breaker in the post-supersuit era on the second night with a powerful swim in the 200m backstroke.

Then on the final night, Cate Campbell surprised many with her 100m record attempt in the 200m final.

Despite finishing last in the race, her 50.91 split over the first half of the race was enough to become the first woman to break the 51-second barrier.

Larkin, who became just the second swimmer in Australian history to complete the 50m, 100m, and 200m title treble, almost had a second world record on the final night.

His stunning 49.04 time in the 100m final came just short of the world record mark set by American Nick Thoman in 2009.

The 22-year-old had a second crack in the 4x100 medley relay half an hour, only to again fall agonisingly short with a 49.03.

In the end he had to settle for a new Commonwealth time, but couldn't hide his disappointment afterwards.

"I would have liked to have cracked the 49, but I can't complain," he said.

Matthew Wilson, 16, got one of the warmest ovations on the final night after capturing his first national title after cutting 90 seconds off his personal best time in the 200m backstroke final.

He will aim to shed another 90 seconds off his 2:06.50 by the time Olympic trials begin in April.

"My goal when we first started the season was (Commonwealth games in) 2018, but it's not out of the realms of possibility," he said.


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