SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – JULY 27: Summer McIntosh of Team Canada reacts after winning gold in the … More
On the second day of the World Aquatics championships, Summer McIntosh continued her winning streak. After an impressive semi-final yesterday, the Canadian swimmer won the 200 IM in 2:06.69. McIntosh took a comfortable lead from the start and touched the wall two seconds ahead. The 19-year-old is now the first swimmer to break the 2:06 barrier at the meet. She was followed by Alex Walsh in 2:08.58, while Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey picked up the bronze in 2:09.15
On Monday, McIntosh had to balance a demanding schedule, which included two events: the 400 free final and the 200 IM semi-finals. Today, she was provided a better opportunity to claim her second world title in Singapore. McIntosh’s performance was almost only a second off her world record of 2:05.70 set at the trials in June.
However, the swimmer was expecting more from the race.“Going in tonight, my goal was to get my hand on the wall first, so to get that done is good. I’m not super happy with my time.” McIntosh said.“My goal is just to go as fast as I can against my competitors.’’
Now she aims to “keep up the streak” and win five individual medals in Singapore. After achieving “40% of her goals,” she will be competing in the 400 IM, 800 free and 200 fly this week.
Gretchen Walsh Wins 100 Free
On Monday, Gretchen Walsh secured the first gold medal for Team U.S. Walsh, who was heavily favored to win the 100 fly, secured the podium finish in 54.73.
The 22-year-old claimed her first-ever individual gold at the 2025 Worlds, while registering the second-fastest performance in history. Taking down Sarah Sjöström’s championship record from 2017, the Nashville-based swimmer was seconds behind her world record time set in May.
In a post-race interview, she opened up about her experience winning the race despite battling “acute gastroenteritis,” which the team picked up at the training camp. “It was not easy, and I’m just really proud of myself.’’
Gretchen Walsh is one of the most consistent swimmers produced by Team U.S. She has consistently excelled in yard and short-course pools, with multiple records and titles to her name. However, since last year, Walsh has established herself as more than just a “bathtub swimmer.” Qualifying for her debut Olympics by breaking the 2016 world record in the 100 fly and claiming two gold medals in Paris, she has showcased great performances in long-course pools. With Olympian Sarah Sjöström skipping the season, she will now look forward to winning the other three events she qualified for as well: 50 fly, 50 free and 100 free.
In the 100 breaststroke, China’s Qin Haiyang successfully claimed back his world title. Surpassing Paris Olympic champion Nicolo Martinenghi, Haiyang won the event in 58.23. Martinenghi, who faded in the second half of the race, managed to touch the wall in 58.58 and was followed by Denis Petrashov of Kyrgyzstan, who took bronze in 58.88. After facing disappointment at the Paris Olympics, Haiyang has made an impressive comeback this season. The 200 backstroke world-record holder, who claimed the first gold for China, is now more confident heading into the upcoming events.
“I’m competing in three events, and they’re all tough ones. Even if I didn’t win the gold today, I’ve done better than yesterday, and that’s enough for me.” Haiyang stated.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/parasjan/2025/07/28/world-aquatics-day-2-summer-mcintosh-and-gretchen-walsh-win-big-qin-haiyang-takes-the-100-breaststroke-gold/