Summer McIntosh, the 18-year-old Canadian swimmer, concluded a stellar World Aquatics Championships by winning her fourth individual gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley (IM). Her victory cemented her place as only the third swimmer in history, after Michael Phelps and Sarah Sjostrom, to win five individual medals at a single world championships. The United States topped the final medals table, largely thanks to a world record-breaking performance in the women’s 4×100 medley relay.
Other Notable Victories and Records
- Leon Marchand, the French Olympic champion, roared to victory in the men’s 400 IM and also broke the 200 IM world record during the championships.
- Ahmed Jaouadi of Tunisia won the 1,500 freestyle, completing a freestyle double.
- Australia’s Meg Harris claimed her first individual global title in the 50 freestyle.
- Lithuanian swimmer Ruta Meilutyte powered to her fourth consecutive world title in the 50 breaststroke.
- Russian swimmers, competing under a neutral flag, won a shock gold in the men’s 4×100 medley relay.
The Big Picture: Team Standings and Surprising Performances
The United States finished first in the medal count with nine golds, followed closely by Australia with eight. The American women’s world record in the final event of the night secured their top spot. The championships also saw a strong debut from China’s 12-year-old prodigy Yu Zidi, who finished just off the podium in two separate events.
