Commonwealth Games, Day Four Finals: Sam Short Swims into History Books, Winning Inaugural 800m Freestyle in Dolphins Super Sweep
Australia’s man of the moment Sam Short has written his own slice of Games history in Glasgow tonight winning the inaugural Commonwealth 800m freestyle crown and leading another clean sweep for the Dolphins, their fourth for the meet.
In an extraordinary story of domination, Short was never headed as he added the 800m in another sub 7:40.00 time, taking the gold in 7:39.81 (26:62; 54.86; 1:52.24; 2:49.98; 3:48.29; 4:46.39; 5:44.81; 6:43.19).
Short’s teammates and training partners completed the sweep. 22-year-old Ben Goedemans (7:46.49) and 24-year-old Matt Galea (7:47.10) overtook Northern Ireland’s Olympic champion Dan Wiffen to claim silver and bronze, respectively. Wiffen finished in fourth in 7:48.82
The 23-year-old Queenslander added the 800m to his gold medal opener in the 400m on night two and another from his leadoff leg on Australia’s 800m freestyle relay on night three.
Short meant business from the opening lap, splitting 26.62 to signal his intentions that he was going to take some catching, leaving his teammates to fight it out with Wiffen for the silver and bronze.
Goedemans trailed Short through the first 400m followed by Wiffen with Galea stalking the Olympic champion before pouncing over the final stages to complete the Aussie sweep.
Short topped the 400m from Elijah Winnington and Games rookie Goedemans, but tonight it was Galea’s turn to join Short and St Peters Western training partner Goedemans on the podium. Galea only joined the Dean Boxall program from Sydney 12 months ago, making the most of his move with this medal. B0xall again made his presence felt from the pool deck, urging his boys to the finish line.
