Shayna Jack to spearhead Dolphins' world campaign

The in-form Shayna Jack will lead the Dolphins' charge at the world championships in Doha. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

An in-form Shayna Jack will shoulder the Dolphins' load at the world championships in Doha with many of Australia's Tokyo Olympic stars skipping the event.

The sprinter was in good form at this week's Queensland championships, winning both the 50m and 100m freestyle ahead of Meg Harris and Cate Campbell.

Jack, 50m freestyle world champion Cameron McEvoy and 2022 400m champ Elija Winnington are the headliners named in Australia's 24-strong squad to compete at Qatar's World Aquatics Championships from February 2-18.

But the tight turnaround to the Paris Olympics, beginning in late July, means most of the country's Games stars won't join them.

Emma McKeon is currently managing a torn muscle under her armpit, while Ariarne Titmus returned to the pool in Brisbane this week for the first time since revealing in September she had benign tumours removed from an ovary.

They will miss the trip ahead of June's Olympic trials, as will Mollie O'Callaghan, Kyle Chalmers, Sam Short, Matt Temple, Kaylee McKeown and Zac Stubblety-Cook.

Backstrokers Iona Anderson and Jaclyn Barclay will make their international debuts, as will open water swimmer Robert Thorpe.

Maddy Gough and Moesha Johnson will contest the women’s open water 10km event before backing up to swim 1500m in the pool.

Chelsea Gubecka (5km) has already qualified for Paris and will compete at a record seven world championships.

McEvoy confirmed earlier this week he would defend his title and is excited by the prospect of facing in-form Brit Ben Proud in a tasty precursor to Paris.

At 29, the three-time Olympian became the oldest Australian to win an individual world championship gold medal in Japan earlier this year.

"It's going to be pretty rough, Ben's going to be on, but it'll be a really good pre-Paris experience," the rejuvenated McEvoy said. 

"Fukuoka was my first international 50m final, so to have another one of them and have been in top form is a good experience."

DOLPHINS WORLD CHAMPS SQUAD:  Iona Anderson, Jaclyn Barclay, Jack Cartwright, Abbey Connor, Isaac Cooper, Jenna Forrester, Madeleine Gough, Abbey Harkin, Shayna Jack, Moesha Johnson, Cameron McEvoy, Kiah Melverton, Alexandria Perkins,  Kai Taylor, Brianna Throssell, Samuel Williamson, Elijah Winnington, Bradley Woodward, Bianca Crisp, Chelsea Gubecka, Bailey Armstrong, Kyle Lee, Nicholas Sloman, Robert Thorpe. 

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store