Brooke Hanson entered illustrious company when she completed a perfect world shortcourse championships campaign with a record-setting sixth gold medal on the final night.

Hanson's 0.85 second win from American star Amanda Beard in the 200m breaststroke saw her join fellow Australian Ian Thorpe (2001 world championships), Americans Mark Spitz (1972 Olympics) and Michael Phelps (2004 Olympics) and East German Kristin Otto (1988 Olympics) as the only swimmers to claim six crowns at a world or Olympic meet.

"To be mentioned in the same sentence with those guys for what I accomplished at this meet is amazing," Hanson said.

"It is surreal because of what they have achieved in the sport.

"I don't think it would have been possible to have a better meet.

Six races, six gold medals, PBs, Commonwealth records, a world record in the relay and then the female swimmer of the meet. I'm speechless."

There is no question that the world shortcourse (25m pool) championship ranks significantly below the Olympics and regular (50m pool) world championships in status.

But 26-year-old Hanson achieved something even that quartet did not, becoming the first swimmer to win five individual gold medals at one major meet.

Hanson won the 200 breaststroke final in 2:21.68 despite soreness from her hectic program which kept team physios busy.

"I wanted to create history tonight," Hanson said.

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