2026 WA Short Course Championships: Relay Record, Joshua Yong Shines, and Positive Signals

The 2026 Western Australian Age & Open Short Course Championships concluded after three days of competition in a 25-meter pool, leaving many memorable marks. Not only were new records set, but the competition also showcased the depth of Western Australian swimming, from Olympic champions to emerging talents. In the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, the state team created an impressive milestone by touching the wall in 3 minutes 32.66 seconds, breaking the previous record by 1.53 seconds. This achievement is not just a number; it reflects smooth coordination between swimmers, good exchanges, and consistent speed maintenance throughout the race. Although detailed split data is unavailable, such a significant improvement suggests a near-perfect relay performance. The most notable highlight was national team swimmer Joshua Yong's performance in breaststroke events. He broke his own record in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 26.61 seconds, improving by 0.21 seconds from his previous record of 26.82. Earlier, Yong also showed consistent form in other distances: 100m breaststroke in 57.58 seconds, just shy of his record, and 200m breaststroke among the leaders. This consistency demonstrates solid endurance and multi-distance capability, though his main focus is sprint events. Meanwhile, young swimmer Sam Carmignani impressed with a personal best in the 100m individual medley. He touched the wall in 56.46 seconds, improving by more than 1 second from his previous best. Such a large improvement in a technical event like the IM is a positive signal, showing significant training progress. However, experts note that continued observation is needed to confirm whether this is sustainable progress or a one-time surge. Another name worth mentioning is Brielle Dredge, who won multiple events. She finished first in the 100m breaststroke in 1:07.91, the 200m IM in 2:18.78, the 200m breaststroke in 2:26.37, and the 50m breaststroke in 31.04. Winning four events requiring different endurance and technique highlights Dredge's remarkable versatility, especially in middle-distance categories. Although her times are not yet world-class, maintaining performance across multiple days is a big plus. The participation of Olympic medalist Iona Anderson also added to the event's appeal. Anderson competed in the 100m IM and finished in 1:00.66. Although this is not her specialty (she focuses on backstroke), the result still shows the class of an athlete who has conquered the international stage. The presence of stars like Anderson and Yong proves that a state-level meet still attracts top swimmers as a way to test form before larger goals. Organized over three days, the 2026 WA Age & Open Short Course Championships attracted clubs such as Highlanders, Hale Aquatics, and Kwinana. This regular event often serves as a mid-season test, helping swimmers adapt to short-course racing before national championships. It must be emphasized that short-course (25m) results are not directly comparable to long-course (50m) results, where Olympic and world championships are held. Therefore, impressive numbers here should be viewed in their own context. According to analysts, the men's 4x100m freestyle relay record and Joshua Yong's 50m breaststroke record are the most notable milestones. However, overall, the meet remains significant only at the state level, not a game-changer internationally. Carmignani's 56.46 in the 100m IM is far from the world's top; similarly, Dredge's or Anderson's times are not medal-contending levels at the Olympics. Yet, these athletes are still developing, and each competition provides valuable data for coaching staff. One caution is that overrating short-course results can lead to false expectations. Times in a 25m pool are typically faster due to more turns, with underwater techniques playing a larger role than in long course. Thus, experts recommend viewing this meet as a form check, not a selection benchmark for national teams. Swimmers will have chances to prove themselves at long-course meets in 2026, where official selection criteria apply. Looking ahead, positive signals from this meet could be a springboard for bigger steps. Joshua Yong needs to maintain consistency and aim to break the 1-minute mark in the 100m breaststroke long course to compete for a national team spot. Brielle Dredge, if she continues improving, could rise to national-level status. As for Sam Carmignani, a similar performance at upcoming meets would confirm his talent. Although this meet is not decisive, these impressive performances have sparked hope for Western Australian swimming this season. Additionally, the meet served as a chance for local clubs to assess their youth development programs. The emergence of new faces in younger age groups indicates a stable talent identification and coaching system in Western Australia. Results from this meet will help coaches adjust training plans, focusing on key techniques such as turns, underwater swimming, and relay exchanges – decisive factors in short-course performance. After three days of competition, athletes, coaches, and fans have reasons to be satisfied. New records, personal milestones, and fierce competition made the event a success. With its current foundation, Western Australian swimming is showing impressive depth, promising more surprises at bigger arenas in 2026.