Hackett suprised at
breaking world record

Australia's Grant Hackett surprised himself when he broke his own 400 metres freestyle short course world record by almost half a second at a grand prix meeting in Sydney on Thursday.

Hackett, who won three titles at the world short course championships in Moscow in April, clocked three minutes 34.58 seconds in Sydney, well inside his previous best time of 3:35.01 set at the world short course event in Hong Kong in April 1999.

"These things happen when you least expect them," he told reporters on Friday after stealing the limelight from compatriot Ian Thorpe.

Olympic and world champion Thorpe, unbeaten over the 400 metres long course since the world championships in 1998, did not compete in the short course event in Sydney.

Hackett said he did not expect to set a record because Australia's swimming team had just completed a tough training regime before leaving for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, which start next Thursday.

"I like to do things when they are unexpected. It's hard to break world records with Ian around, so you have to make the most of any opportunity you get," said Hackett.

"To set a world record in hard training...I can't believe I'm doing that," said the Olympic 1,500 metres champion.

Hackett and Thorpe, set to meet in the 400 metres at the Commonwealth Games, flew out with the rest of the Australian swimming team for Manchester later on Friday.

"I went around with a smile on my face last night and that's what I intend to do in Manchester," Hackett told reporters, adding he was looking forward to swimming against world record holder Thorpe.

"Ian's a very good competitor and he's swimming very well...there's going to be a lot of close racing," he said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting in there and actions will speak louder than words when it comes to that 400 metres at Manchester," Hackett said.