| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Events | 1500m T12 |
| DOB | 12/12/2007 |
| Coach | Mickael Soussan |
| Club | Glen Huntly |
| Teams | 2025 World Para Athletics Championship |
The son of six-time Paralympic champion Russell Short, rising middle-distance runner Will Short is forging a path of his own in Para-athletics.
The 1500m event might be a long way from the shot put circle which his dad dominated for decades on end, but by Will’s own admission, his physique “isn’t quite made for throwing” – instead starting to clock the kilometres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dad tried to get me into throwing, but I started to run for fun in lockdown, just going further and further every day,” Short says.
“Eventually he told me it was a bit of a stupid approach and signed me up with a coach, Mickael Soussan – I wouldn’t be here without him.”
Those roads have led to his international debut at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi where he will compete in the 1500m T12 (visually impaired) alongside idol Jaryd Clifford, with hopes of breaking the elusive four-minute barrier for the first time.
“I’d like to go sub-four minutes in New Delhi; that’s a big goal of mine. Mostly I’m just excited to go faster and see where those times can take me,” Short says.
“I love running. I love the training and racing process, and I love pushing every day and meeting new friends.”
Will’s mum Christine Fisher also competed at the Paralympic Games in track cycling, with the teenager who attends Glen Eira College growing up around Para-athletics stars which has embedded a passion deep within him.
“There are so many people that come over for dinner who are Paralympic royalty. I’m very honoured to have that and as I get older, I’m realising more and more how much of an impact it has had on me,” Short says.
Heading into his global debut, Will owns a 1500m personal best of 4:07.90 and is working towards his dream of being on the Paralympic podium and one of the best all-round runners in the country.
Many of Will’s teammates in 2025 have competed alongside Russell who announced his retirement in 2017 after making his debut in 1988, setting the rising star some lofty standards of longevity.
