Sasha Gatt sets two national short course records on way to victory in Slovakia meet

Qualifies for World Short Course Championships

Maltese swimmer Sasha Gatt took part in the Slovakia Swimming Cup 2024 over the weekend, where she set two national short course national records.

Gatt, first broke her own 800 metres freestyle short course national record with a time of 8:38:25.

Gatt’s timing in Slovakia was 0.5 seconds faster than her previous best of 8:38:75 and set a new Slovakian championship meet record which was also previously owned by the Maltese swimmer.

During the meet, Gatt also lowered the national short course mark in the 400 metres freestyle with a time of 4:12:37, almost five seconds faster than her own previous best.

In both races she placed 1st overall and managed to obtain a ‘B’ qualifying time for the World Short Course Championships which will be held in Budapest later on this year.

Gatt currently holds the national short course national records for the 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres and 1,500 metre freestyle.

Speaking to the Times of Malta upon her arrival to Malta on Monday, Sasha said: “I am thrilled to have achieved two national short course records after a lot of hard work, perseverance  and training.”

The two national records also saw a B qualifying time for the Worlds Short Course Championships being held in Budapest in December.

“I am overwhelmed with excitement to represent Malta on an international stage once again. Big thank you to my coach Stan Ioan Catalin for always believing in me and for everyone’s continuous support,” she said.

This was Gatt’s first meet since competing at the Paris Olympics.

Gatt expressed thanks to the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, the Maltese Olympic Committee, and her sponsor Eurosport for their unwavering support as well as her club, Sliema ASC Panta Swimming.