Australia Wins Eight Golds, Nears US at Swimming Worlds

At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Australia finished second in the medal tally with eight golds, narrowly behind the United States, which secured nine gold medals. Standout performers for Australia included Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown, who were integral to five of the country's eight gold medals, with O’Callaghan equaling Ian Thorpe’s record of 11 world titles and McKeown continuing her dominance in backstroke events. Emma McKeon also made history by winning both the women’s 100m and 200m backstroke, becoming Australia's most successful swimmer in individual events with 10 Olympic and world title medals. Despite Australia's strong overall performance, the team faced a notable setback in the mixed 4x100 freestyle relay, where they were eliminated in the heats after finishing 11th, a surprising result given they hold the world and championship records in the event. The Dolphins' continued excellence, even with some athletes recently returning from breaks or affected by illness, highlights the enduring strength of Australia's swimming program. The championships also featured top international competitors such as Leon Marchand and Summer McIntosh, who were contenders in the 400m individual medley.