Singapore, July 29 (UNI) USA swimming great Katie Ledecky clinched her first gold medal and 22nd world title at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, dominating the women’s 1500m freestyle final on Day 3 of the meet here today.
After settling for bronze in the 400m freestyle on Day 1, the nine-time Olympic champion returned to familiar territory in the distance event, leading from start to finish in front of IOC President Kirsty Coventry and IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach.
The day’s most anticipated duel saw Australia’s Kaylee McKeown outpace American Regan Smith to win the women’s 100m backstroke. The reigning double Olympic champion stopped the clock ahead of world record holder Smith, who took silver in a thrilling contest.
In the men’s 200m freestyle final, David Popovici of Romania showcased his class once again, capturing the crown to add to his Olympic gold from Paris 2024.
South Africa’s Pieter Coetze triumphed in the men’s 100m backstroke final, grabbing his first senior world title.
In the night’s biggest upset, Germany’s Anna Elendt stormed to victory in the women’s 100m breaststroke, edging out USA’s Kate Douglass, the Olympic 200m breaststroke champion from Paris.
Earlier in the day, USA’s Bobby Finke advanced to the men’s 800m freestyle final alongside top contenders Lukas Märtens of Germany and Daniel Wiffen of Ireland — the latter still recovering from recent appendicitis surgery.
Meanwhile, Mollie O’Callaghan of Australia, reigning Olympic champion, breezed through her heat to qualify for the women’s 200m freestyle final.
The 2025 World Aquatics Championships, held in Singapore, marks the 22nd edition of the event since its inception in 1973. The championships feature elite global swimmers battling across six competition days.
