Watson became Australian champion in the 50-metre backstroke in 1996. However, as it was not an Olympic event, he did not gain national selection until 1997, when he competed at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Watson won the Australian backstroke championship in 1996 but did not qualify for the national team until 1997 because it was not an Olympic event. He then competed at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.