 At the 2008 Short Course World Championships in Manchester, England, Hardy won a total of three gold medals. In her first event, the 50-meter breaststroke, on April 10, Hardy won gold with a world record time of 29.58. In the 4 × 100-meter medley, on April 11, Hardy teamed with Margaret Hoelzer, Rachel Komisarz, and Kara Denby to win gold in a world record time of 3: 51.36. Going into the final of the 100-meter breaststroke, Hardy was the clear favorite for gold. She topped the heats with a time of 1: 05.31 and broke the championship record in the semifinals with a time of 1: 04.63 both on April 11. In the final of the 100-meter breaststroke, on April 12, Hardy won gold with a time of 1: 04.22, and broke her own championship record.
