SYDNEY, March 29: World and Olympic champion Grant Hackett clocked the sixth-fastest 1500-metre freestyle time to win the 30-lap event on the final night of the Australian Swimming Championships here on Saturday.

Hackett hit the wall in 14 minutes 47.07 seconds — outside his world record of 14:34.56 — and he now owns seven of the top 10 times in the event.

It was the 13th time Hackett has crashed through the 15-minute barrier. His time has only ever been bettered by himself and dual Olympic gold medallist Kieren Perkins.

The 22-year-old Hackett, one the giants of world swimming, has now won a record seven 1500m freestyle Australian crowns and remains unbeaten in the event since the 1996 Atlanta Olympic trials, more than 30 races.

Hackett beat Craig Stevens (15:03.20) and Stephen Penfold (15:23.64).

The championships are doubling as the selection trials for the Barcelona world championships in July and Hackett has qualified for the 200, 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay.

“I was thrilled with my swims at these championships, it’s the best nationals I’ve ever had,” Hackett said.

Hackett is to swim in the Duel in the Pool meet against the United States in Indianapolis April 6 and was conscious of conserving energy ahead of his next 30-lap race.

“I am going to race in the US tomorrow week so to do such a controlled race and swim 14:47 tonight is really pleasing,” Hackett said.

“I look at it ... as a prestigious sort of thing,” he said.

“I like to swim for my country and for my country to be proud for me that I can keep that tradition going. That sort of excites me.

“I don’t feel the pressure from it, I really feel the adrenalin and it makes me want to get up and do it. It motivates me.”

Matt Welsh is aiming at the world record after smashing the Commonwealth 50m backstroke mark.

The 26-year-old stopped the clock at 25.14 seconds to hack 0.35 seconds off his old Commonwealth mark of 25.49, which earned him the bronze medal at the 2001 world championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

The record gave him a complete a sweep of the men’s backstroke events at the Australian championships.

But more importantly, it gave him encouragement that American Lenny Krayzelburg’s world record of 24.99 set in the same pool during the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships was within his reach.

Only Krayzelburg, American Jeff Rouse and German swimmers Thomas Rupprath and Steve Theloke have gone faster than Welsh.

Triple Manchester Commonwealth Games gold medallist Justin Norris came from behind to beat Trent Steed to win the 400m individual medley in four minutes 17.30 seconds.

Pan Pacific and Commonwealth Games champion Jennifer Reilly took out the women’s 400m individual medley in 4:44.77 from Jessica Abbott (4:47.35).

Brooke Hanson claimed the women’s 50m breaststroke gold in 31.52 seconds — just outside the Australian record of 31.50 seconds held by Queensland teenager Leisel Jones, who claimed silver in 31.72 seconds.

Lisbeth Lenton captured the women’s 50m freestyle in the Australian record time of 25.08 seconds.

Saturday’s results of finals:

MEN’S: