HOBART: Grant Hackett has set the second-fastest 1500m freestyle short course time in history at the Australian Short Course Championships in a sensational comeback from shoulder surgery.

Hackett finished his pet event in 14:19.47 tonight, beating Kieren Perkins’ 1993 time of 14:26.52.
It was the first time Hackett has contested the gruelling distance since the FINA World Championships in Montreal last July.

The world champion said after the swim he was happy with his effort.

“It’s good to get a good one first off,'’ he said.

“I’m not as unfit as I thought I was.'’

Hackett also shadowed his own world 400m freestyle record at the Hobart meet, clocking 3:35.73 - the fastest time in the world this year and the fifth-fastest ever - to defeat 18-year-old Nic Donald (3:46.57) and Craig Stevens (3:47.41).

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