2025 Swimming World Cup – Toronto: Day 1 Prelims Live Recap

2025 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – Toronto

• October 23-25, 2025
• Toronto, Canada
• SCM (25 meters)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results

Good Morning, Eh!

Welcome to the first day of action from Toronto as the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup comes to a close in Canada’s most populous city. While the series started off with some rocky news, mainly that of Summer McIntosh‘s withdrawal from all three stops, and Leon Marchand‘s limited involvement, the past two stops have had plenty of thrilling storylines to set us up for what is sure to be a thrilling conclusion.

Hungary’s Hubert Kos has been dominant so far in the men’s backstroke events, winning all three in Carmel and in Westmont and will look for the triple-triple crown as his kicks off his campaign in the 200 back. While no women have been so dominate across one stroke, they have been showing up across multiple disciplines as Regan Smith, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass have all won multiple events at the previous two stops.

The trio of Americans along with their Australia rivals Kaylee McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan have also been raking in the bonus money as each equaled or lowered World records and will be looking to do so again. All of them, save for McKeown have scratched events this morning likely meaning to give themselves the best shot at accomplishing their goals this weekend.

With the move to the north, its the Canadian Age-Group/Club swimmers time to shine as the Great White North will look to find their next great swimmers to join the like of Ilya Kharun, Josh Liendo and Mary-Sophie Harvey. Kharun and Liendo, both 2024 Olympic medalist will cross paths in the 100 fly and 50 free and will be looking for the title as Canada’s fastest swimmer as well as breaking Noe Ponti‘s chance at the 100 fly triple crown.

Ponti, the WR in the 100 fly, will be looking to do the same to the USA’s Shaine Casas, who is not only in the hunt for the triple crown in the 100 IM, but is also looking to become just the 3rd person under the 50 second mark in the event, after having set a new PB of 50.45 last weekend, a result that clocks in as the 9th fastest performance of all time.

Day 1 Prelims Heat Sheet

Women’s 400 Freestyle – Slow Heats

• World Record: 3:50.25 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
• World Junior Record: 3:50.25 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
• World Cup Record: 3:52.42– Lani Pallister, AUS (2025)

Top 8

1. Hannah Casey (AUS) – 4:08.04
2. Emma O’Croinin (CAN) – 4:11.73
3. Tori Meklensek (CLB) – 4:12.23
4. Brooke Bennett (CLB) – 4:17.57
5. Maysa Ratiu (CLB) – 4:18.01
6. Zoe M Rattee (CLB) – 4:19.06
7. Callie Cardiff (CLB) – 4:19.21
8. Isabella Ferguson (CLB) – 4:19.48

Brielle Mullikin, who represents Pleasonton Seahawks in California, opened up the first heat in 2:10.17 and never relinquished the lead as she touched first, hitting the wall in 4:24.43.

Maysa Ratiu opened the 2nd heat a little faster than Mullikin, as she flipped at the 200 turn in 2:05.55, a lead of 1.24 over Callie Cardiff, who was swimming out of lane 9. The pair held off some late charges and touched one-two in the heat going 4:18.01 and 4:19.21, dropping over four and six seconds, respectively, off their seed times.

The final heat of this event this morning started as a battle between Canadian Olympian Emma O’Croinin and recent Worlds medalist Hannah Casey, with the young Australian opening in 2:02.44, .71 ahead of Canadian foe. Over the next 100, Casey, who swam three prelims relay legs in Singapore, doubled her lead over O’Croinin and cruised her way into the finish, touching in 4:08.04, a drop of 6.31 seconds from her seed of 4:14.35. O’Croinin held on for 2nd touching in 4:11.73.

Men’s 400 Freestyle – Slow Heats

• World Record: 3:32.25 – Yannick Agnel, FRA (2012)
• World Junior Record: 3:37.92 – Matthew Sates, RSA (2021)
• World Cup Record: 3:32.77 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)

Top 8

1. Mitchell Schott (CLB) – 3:41.79
2. Sander Crooijmans (NED) – 3:46.52
3. Richard Marton (HUN) – 3:48.78
4. Aiden Kirk (CAN) – 3:49.61
5. Laon Kim (CAN) – 3:50.62
6. Santiago Gutierrez (MEX) – 3:51.67
7. Quinn Matteis (CLB) – 3:52.08
8. Sebastian Paulins (CLB) – 3:52.10

World University Games silver medalist in the 200 IM, Mitchell Schott blasted his way to a dominant win in the first heat of the men’s 400 free as the Princeton Tiger stopped the clock in 3:41.79. Entered with his best long course time of 4:01.50, Schott was out in 1:49.14 and had established over a pool length lead, winning the heat by over 20 seconds. Schott’s time ties him as the 17th fastest American performer of all time with US Olympian Blake Pieroni.

Canada’s rising star Laon Kim, tried to follow in Schott’s footstep, by opening up a big early lead, but was just a little off as he flipped at the 200 turn in 1:51.08. Mexico’s Santiago Gutierrez, swimming out of lane 9, was employing some outside smoke as he started to cut into Kim’s lead but ran out of steam in the last 50 ultimately finishing 1.05 back of Kim’s 3:50.62.

No one in the last heat could match Schott’s time from the first heat, as Dutchman Sander Crooijmans won the heat in 3:46.52.

Women’s 50 Backstroke – Heats

• World Record: 25.23 – Regan Smith, USA (2024)
• World Junior Record: 26.03 – Sara Curtis, ITA (2024)
• World Cup Record: 25.36 – Kaylee McKeown, AUS (2024)

Top 8

1. Kylie Masse (CAN) – 25.83
2. Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 25.84
3. Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS) – 25.88
4. Katharine Berkoff (USA) – 26.01
5. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 26.04
6. Ingrid Wilm (CAN) – 26.34
7. Olivia Smoliga (USA) – 26.41
8. Kayla Sanchez (PHI) – 26.63

Its rare to see two Olympians in the first heat of an event but the USA’s Olivia Smoliga and the Philippines Kayla Sanchez swimming out of lanes 7 and 1 respectively, lit up the first heat. Smoliga, a former US record holder in the event, opened in 13.10, .09 ahead of Sanchez, who used to swim for Canada. Smoliga, who has not done much racing since the 2024 Olympic Trials took the win in 26.41, with Sanchez taking 2nd in 26.63.

The former Georgia Bulldog, Smoliga, still had the fasted time through the start of the circle seeded heats, but it would not last as the 2025 World Champion in this event, Katharine Berkoff posted a time of 26.01 after opening in 12.94. Canadian backstroking star, Ingrid Wilm, too nipped under Smoliga’s time as she tooks 2nd with a 26.34.

Heat 5 of 6 was always going to be a fast affair as it pitted Gretchen Walsh against Kylie Masse. It was the Canadian, Masse, who took the win as she posted the morning’s first sub-26 time of 25.83, out touching Walsh by just .01.  Masse opened in 12.66, .16 ahead of Walsh, but Walsh emerged well ahead after the underwaters and looked to be in position to win but she seemingly misjudged the finish and glided into the wall while Masse timed her finish perfectly.

The Aussie trio of Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Hannah Fredericks were 1-2-3 at the turn, but it was O’Callaghan, the recent 200 free WR leading the way as she opened in 12.65, with  McKeown back by .23. O’Callaghan held off McKeown charge as she took the win in 25.88, with her compatriot just over the 26 second barrier at 26.04.

Men’s 200 Backstroke – Heats

• World Record: 1:45.63 – Mitch Larkin, AUS (2015)
• World Junior Record: 1:48.02 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2017)
• World Cup Record: 1:46.11 – Arkady Vyatchanin, RUS (2009)

Top 8

1. Hubert Kos (HUN) – 1:50.08
2. Kacper Stokowski (CLB) – 1:50.72
3. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 1:51.12
4. Joshua Edwards-Smith (AUS) – 1:51.74
5. Yeziel Morales (PUR) – 1:52.04
6. Tomoyuki Matsushita (JPN) – 1:52.34
7. Lorenzo Mora (ITA) – 1:52.45
8. Enoch Robb (AUS) – 1:53.33

Hungary’s Hubert Kos did what he had to do to secure himself a spot in the final tonight as he begins his quest of winning the triple-triple crown and sweeping the backstroke events across all three stops. The top seed, Kos, who has been training at Texas with Bob Bowman was 1:50.08 in the last heat, his fastest prelim performance from the series.

Looking to challenge Kos in the final tonight are Kacper Stokowski and Thomas Ceccon, who had a duel in the penultimate heat. Ceccon as out quickest of all the top 8, opening in 53.77 (.01 ahead of Kos), but was caught by Kacper Stokowski (54.43) in the last 50 and the Pole posted the 2nd fastest time of the morning, going 1:50.72 to the Italian’s 1:51.12.

The first of the circle seeded heats went the way of Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita, who in Carmel entered the meet with no time, but has been making strong progress in the event over the past fortnight and safely advanced into the final tonight with the 6th fastest time.

Women’s 200 Butterfly – Heats

• World Record: 1:59.32 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
• World Junior Record: 1:59.32 – Summer McIntosh, CAN (2024)
• World Cup Record: 2:00.20 – Regan Smith, USA (2025)

Top 8

1. Regan Smith (USA) – 2:03.88
2. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) – 2:06.07
3. Emily Richards (GBR) – 2:06.78
4. Brittany Castelluzzo (AUS) – 2:06.82
5. Laura Lahtinen (FIN) – 2:08.23
6. Bella Grant (AUS) – 2:08.32
7. Ellen Walshe (IRL) – 2:08.73
8. Maria-Theoni Karagiannis (CLB) – 2:13.07

With just three heats scheduled, we jumped straight into the circle-seeded heats. Canadian multi-event star Mary-Sophie Harvey opened up in 1:00.00 and never relinquished the lead as she cruised into the wall with a comfortable looking 2:06.07. Taking 2nd behind her was Finland’s Laura Lahtinen at 2:08.23.

The 2nd heat opened up in similar albeit slower affair as Australia’s Bella Grant opened up her 200 fly in 1:01.01, with a strong lead on Ireland’s Ellen Walshe. However, Walshe started to reel in Grant and the pair had a fast and furious last 10 meters with Grant just holding on to the win, 2:08.32 to 2:08.73, with the Irish Olympian slicing over half a second off Grant’s lead on the last 25 alone.

The last heat saw Regan Smith cruise her way into tonight’s top seed as the American continues her quest for a sub-2:00 time. Out in the only sub-1:00 split, Smith hit the 100 wall in 59.66 and came home in 1:04.22, stopping the clock in 2:03.88, much faster than her prelims time from Carmel (2:04.58) and from Westmont (2:04.48). Behind Smith in the final heat, Great Britain’s Emily Richard went over the top of Brittany Castelluzzo, closing what was a .38 difference at the 100 mark to a margin of victory of .04 at the end, 2:06.78 to 2:06.82.

Men’s 100 Butterfly – Heats

• World Record: 47.71 – Noe Ponti, SUI (2024)
• World Junior Record: 49.03 – Ilya Kharun, CAN (2022)
• World Cup Record: 48.40 – Noe Ponti, SUI (2024)

Top 8

1. Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 49.38
2. Josh Liendo (CAN) – 49.57
3. Noe Ponti (SUI) – 50.11
4. Trenton Julian (USA) – 50.53
5. Ksawery Masiuk (POL) – 50.88
6. Kamil Sieradzki (POL) – 51.38
7. Rowan Cox (USA) – 51.92
8. Kent Goni Avila (CLB) – 52.01

The Canadian crowd let their presence be known as the pair of Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun posted the top two times and will occupy lanes 5 and 4 respectively tonight.

Liendo, a 2024 Olympic medalist in this event got the crowd going in the first of the circle-seeded heats as the Florida Gator touched the wall in 49.57, a time that is faster than his prelims times from the other stops, and just .01 slower than his season-best of 49.56, which won the bronze medal winning last weekend. Taking 2nd in the heat was Kamil Sieradzki, who was well back at 50.88.

One heat later, Ilya Kharun, who has won the 50 and 200 fly at each of the two previous stops but has been denied a 100 fly win, posted a time of 49.38 to take over the top of the leaderboard from his compatriot and NCAA rival. The ASU star was out a little faster in Westmont, going 49.16. Like Liendo, Kharun handily won his heat as Trenton Julian touched 2nd in the heat over a second back at 50.53.

The Carmel and Westmont 100 fly winner, Noe Ponti, appears to be in trouble of losing his crown as he won the last heat in 50.11, his slowest 100 fly over the previous month. He was 49.84 in Carmel and 49.94 in Westmont. One should not write off the World Record holder however as he was not the top seed in either of the last two stops and passed Kharun for the win both times.

Women’s 200 Breaststroke – Heats

• World Record: 2:12.50 – Kate Douglass, USA (2024)
• World Junior Record: 2:14.70 – Evgeniia Chikunova, RUS (2023)
• World Cup Record: 2:12.72 – Kate Douglass, USA (2024)

Top 8

1. Kate Douglass (USA) – 2:15.74
2. Mona McSharry (IRL) – 2:19.44
3. Ellie McCartney (IRL) – 2:19.96
4. Alex Walsh (USA) – 2:20.22
5. Ella Ramsay (AUS) – 2:20.60
6. Rebecca Meder (RSA) – 2:20.62
7. Alexanne Lepage (CAN) – 2:21.77
8. Sophie Angus (CAN) – 2:22.93

Kate Douglass made the 200 breaststroke look very easy this morning as the American and World Record holder casually posted a 2:15.74 prelims time. Out in 1:05.14, the only sub 1:06 time, the UVA graduate was the lone swimmer to never split about 18.00 and cruised her way into the wall. Her time of 2:15.74 is now the 14th fastest time of all time and marks her 9th performance under 2:16.00, a feat that no other swimmer has accomplished more than twice.

In hunt for the silver medal behind Douglass, the Irish pair of Mona McSharry and Ellie McCartney each put themselves into a good position. The two, who were in the same heat as the American, were the only other swimmers to go sub-2:20 as the touched in 2:19.44 and 2:19.96.

Heat 2 winner, Alex Walsh, and Heat 1 winner, Rebecca Meder, will also be in the hunt for a medal position as the qualified safely into the final tonight with times of 2:20.22 and 2:20.62 which rank 4th and 6th respectively.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke – Heats

• World Record: 55.28 – Ilya Shymanovich, BLR (2021)
• World Junior Record: 56.66 – Simone Cerasuolo, ITA (2021)
• World Cup Record: 55.61 – Cameron Van der Burgh, RSA (2009)

Top 8

1. Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 55.80
2. Adam Peaty (GBR) – 56.49
3. Luke Barr (CLB) – 57.11
4. Brian Benzing (CLB) – 57.50
5. Shin Ohashi (JPN) – 57.68
6. Finn Brooks (CLB) – 57.99
7. Nash Wilkes (AUS) – 58.30
8. Ludovico Viberti (ITA) – 58.47

Caspar Corbeau nearly set a new national record this morning as the Dutchman touched the wall in the final heat in 55.80. His time, a new PB by .44, sits just .01 away from the 55.79 set by Arno Kamminga in 2021. Corbeau, who swam collegiately at both Texas and Indiana, won the Carmel stop with a time of 56.67, after going 56.26 in prelims, but easily blew by both of those times with his first sub-56 time.

It’s been a strong past two weeks for Corbeau, who has twice this week reset the National record in the 50 going 25.78 in Carmel then 25.52 last week in Westmont.  Out in 26.14, Corbeau led the long course world record holder, Adam Peaty, for the whole race with the pair hitting the 50 wall at 26.14 and 26.44 respectively. Peaty for his part, posted his fastest time of the month, going 56.49 to join Corbeau as the only other swimmer under 57.00.

After those two things start to get closer as Luke Barr, Brian Benzing, Shin Ohashi and Finn Brooks are all within a second of one another. Just squeaking into the final was the #2 seed, Ludovico Viberti, who was 58.47 this morning.

Women’s 50 Freestyle – Heats

• World Record: 22.83 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
• World Junior Record: 23.66 – Eva Okaro, GBR (2024)
• World Cup Record: 22.93 – Ranomi Kromowidjojo, NED (2017)

Top 8

1. Kasia Wasick (POL) – 23.71
2. Alexandria Perkins (AUS) – 23.80
3. Taylor Ruck (CAN) – 23.93
4. Marrit Steenbergen (NED) – 24.00
5. Florine Gaspard (BEL) – 24.23
6. Kayla Sanchez (PHI) – 24.40
7. Marie Wattel (FRA) – 24.44
8. Katharine Berkoff (USA) – 24.47

It will be a very evenly split international field for the final tonight in the Women’s 50 free as eight different nations advanced a swimmer. Leading the way and looking to secure the triple crown for the event is Kasia Wasick. The Pole, who won in both Carmel and Westmont, was out in 11.58 and closed in 12.13 (the fastest last 25) to earn herself lane 4 tonight with a time of 23.71.

Looking to beat her to the top of the podium and win the crown buster money bonus are Australia’s Alexandria Perkins and Canada’s Taylor Ruck. Perkins was out in 11.47 and Ruck in an equal 11.58 but neither were able to come home as quickly as Wasick and finished 2nd and 3rd overall with times of 23.80 and 23.93. No other swimmer was under 24.00, but Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen was right on 24.00 and could easily challenge for a podium spot.

Behind her things are very close as .44 separate 4th from 8th and just .07 separate the last three as Kayla Sanchez, Marie Wattel and Katharine Berkoff posted times of 24.40, 24.44 and 24.47.

Having an anxious and ultimately disappointing wait, the USA Olivia Smoliga finished 10th overall with a time of 24.74. Swimming out of lane 0 in the first heat, Smoliga was in a qualifying position up until the last heat when Wasick, Florine Gaspard and Berkoff’s results pushed her into the 2nd alternate spot.

Men’s 50 Freestyle – Heats

• World Record: 19.90 – Jordan Crooks, CAY (2024)
• World Junior Record: 20.98, Kenzo Simons, NED (2019)
• World Cup Record: 20.48 – Vlad Morozov, RUS (2018)

Top 8

1. Josh Liendo (CAN) – 20.87
2. Jack Alexy (USA) – 20.92
3. Chris Guiliano (USA) – 21.02
4. Ilya Kharun (CAN)/ Lamar Taylor (BAH) – 21.08
6. Ralf Tribuntsov (EST) – 21.22
7. Ruslan Gaziev (CAN) – 21.25
8. Cameron Gray (NZL) – 21.30

The Canadian crowd was at it again as Josh Liendo rocketed his was through the splash and dash. The Florida Gator and #6 seed opened in a swift 10.21 in the 4th heat, but really launched himself on the last 25 closing in 10.66 to stop the clock in 20.87. His time this morning equals his solver medal winning time from last weekend and puts him in a good spot to win the event tonight.

Looking to deny him that honor is the USA’s Jack Alexy, who was out a little quicker at 10.14, but closed in 10.78 to win the last heat in 20.92. The pair, the only two under 21.00, this morning won’t have an easy time of things however, as Carmel Winner Chris Guiliano sits in 3rd at 21.02 and Westmont gold medals, Ilya Kharun currently ranks tied for 4th at 21.08 with Lamar Taylor.

Rounding out the final tonight are Ralf Tribuntsov, Ruslan Gaziev and Cameron Gray who were 21.22, 21.25 and 21.30 respectively.

Women’s 100 IM – Heats

• World Record: 55.11 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2024)
• World Junior Record: 57.59 – Anastasiya Shkurdai, BLR (2020)
• World Cup Record: 55.77 – Gretchen Walsh, USA (2025)

Top 8

1. Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 57.76
2. Marrit Steenbergen (NED) – 57.93
3. Abbie Wood (GBR) – 58.39
4. Rebecca Meder (RSA) – 58.80
5. Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL) – 58.96
6. Kayla Sanchez (PHI) – 59.42
7. Phoebe Bacon (USA) – 59.46
8. Ellen Walshe (IRL) – 59.83

Gretchen Walsh posted her slowest time in the 100 IM prelims this morning, posting a time of 57.76. However, she still earned the top spot in tonight final, and will look to earn the triple crown from lane 4. Of the top eight finalist, Walsh was the lone swimmer under 26 at the 50 point and lone swimmer under 43 at the 75, and could have easily posted a faster time, but visable appeared to ease up in the last 25, closing in 14.77. For reference Marrit Steenbergen, who just came out of the 50 free closed in 14.02 to join Walsh under 58 at 57.93.

After the top, things start to separate with Great Britain’s Abbie Wood sitting in 3rd at 58.39 and Rebecca Meder and Roos Vanotterdijk joining her under 59 at 58.80 and 58.96.

We have seen a few no-time swimmer post final worthy times and the 100 IM was not exception as Kayla Sanchez, who won multiple Olympic medals representing Canada, but now swims for the Philippines, qualified 6th fastest with a time of 59.42. Sanchez has had a busy morning and will have an equally as busy evening as she has advanced to the finals in the 50 back, 50 free and the 100 IM.

Tying for 9th and potentially swimming off for 1st alternate are Taylor Ruck and Anastasia Shkurdai who both hit the wall in 59.91.

Men’s 100 IM – Heats

• World Record: 49.28 – Caeleb Dressel, USA (2020)
• World Junior Record: 50.63 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
• World Cup Record: 49.92 – Leon Marchand, FRA (2024)

Top 8

1. Hubert Kos (HUN) – 51.23
2. Luke Barr (CLB) – 51.58
3. Noe Ponti (SUI) – 51.70
4. Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 51.78
5. Shaine Casas (USA) – 51.87
6. Finlay Knox (CAN) – 52.00
7. David Schlicht (AUS) – 52.50
8. Nikola Miljenic (CRO) – 52.85

While Gretchen Walsh‘s triple crown run in the 100 IM still looks very likely, her compatriot, Shaine Casas, looks to be under some threat as the Carmel and Westmont winner qualified into tonight’s final in 5th, posting a time of 51.87. That said however, the Bob Bowman trained swimmer, was just 7th in prelims last week (52.36) before cutting nearly two seconds to record a new PB of 50.45.

Finishing ahead of him this morning and earning his 2nd top seed is his Texas training partner Hubert Kos, who won the first of the circled seeded heats in 51.23 ahead of Caspar Corbeau’ 51.78. Also placing ahead of Casas was fellow American Luke Barr, who passed Casas in the breaststroke and then swam the fastest last 25 in the field to earn the 2nd seed tonight with his time of 51.58.

Top seeded Noe Ponti was the lone swimmer to advanced out of the 4th heat as his 51.70 handedly won the heat by over a second and half as the USA Michael Andrew finished at 53.28, which placed 10th this morning. Italian Thomas Ceccon was a no show in the last heat.