2021 QUEENSLAND SHORT COURSE C’SHIPS
- Friday, September 17th – Sunday, September 19th
- Brisbane Aquatic Centre
- SCM (25m)
- Entries
- Live Results
The 2021 Queensland Short Course Championships get underway tomorrow, Friday, September 17th at Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
This year’s turnout in terms of high-profile swimmers is fewer than in years past, partly due to the fact Australia has significant travel restrictions on account of the coronavirus. Also in conflict is season 3 of the International Swimming League (ISL), which is drawing Aussies Emma McKeon, Kyle Chalmers and more away to Naples, Italy.
Holding down the fort at these Championships, however, is 2019 World Championships finalist Clyde Lewis. Lewis, who represents Bond, is set to contest the 50m/100m fly and 100m/200m freestyle events.
After clocking a big lifetime best of 1:44.90 in the semi-finals of the 200m free in Gwangju 2 years ago, Lewis established himself as a bonafide world-class competitor in the event. However, things didn’t go as planned at this year’s Australian Olympic Trials, with the ace placing 7th in a time of 1:46.60 and out of individual and relay contention for Tokyo.
Lewis’ teammate Flynn Southam opted out of Olympic Trials altogether, with the 16-year-old focusing on his mental health as he continues his promising career.
In December of 2020, a then-15-year-old Southam broke through in a big way, firing off a big lifetime best of 49.66 in the men’s 100m freestyle at the Queensland LC Championships. His time overtook the Aussie Age Record of 49.68 held by 2016 Olympic champion Chalmers. Southam would drop that done to 49.55 in April of this year before taking a short break and not pursuing Tokyo.
Popstar singer Cody Simpson is set to continue his dream of a Paris 2024 bid, taking on the men’s 50m/100m fly, 100m IM, 100m free and 100m breast events as a Superfish Swim Club racer.
Additional ones to watch include All Saints Thomas Hauck, Newmarket’s Elizabeth Dekkers and St. Andrews’ Jack Carr.
I doubt the weaker field has anything to do with travel restrictions given there are no travel restrictions inside Queensland. It’s mostly because of the missing Olympians and ISL swimmers.