2025 World Championships: Day 3 Prelims Preview

2025 World Championships

• July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
• Singapore, Singapore
• World Aquatics Championships Arena
• LCM (50m)
• Meet Central
• How To Watch
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• Entry Book
• Live Results
• Live Recaps
  • Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2
  • Finals: Day 1 | Day 2

Day 3 Prelims Heat Sheet

There has been a great deal of anticipation for this meet, and it has certainly delivered, especially over the first two days. With just four events on tap this session, day 3 may seem like it can’t live up to the previous few days, but the heat sheet certainly appears to say otherwise, as we see the first individual appearances of a few of the stars from Paris, while others make their return for another shot at the medals.

After claiming the double distance crown at the 2024 Doha Worlds, Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen further made 2024 a golden year as he claimed the title at the Paris Olympics. Wiffen has already gotten the cobwebs out in the 400 free, and while he will be eager to defend his titles, he will certainly have a target on his back. The last event of the morning, the men’s 800 free, is likely to be one of the toughest events to qualify for the final. Six of the eight finalists from Paris return to the field, led by the USA’s Bobby Finke, who won the event at the Tokyo Games but was relegated to silver in Paris. Neither of the two is the top seed, however, as the German distance group is looking to reassert itself. Lukas Martens won the 400 free on night 1, but it’s his teammate Sven Schwarz who leads the way as the top seed.

Martens won’t be the only swimmer looking to put themselves in a good position to make a run at another gold medal. After a thrilling final last night in the men’s 100 breaststroke, Qin Haiyang makes his return to the pool in the men’s 50 breaststroke. The 2023 champion in this event, despite winning the 100, has his work cut out for him as he is seeded just 7th with Ilya Shymanovich, Ivan Kozhakin, and Simone Cerasuolo seeded ahead of him, as well as last night’s runner-up and the World Junior record holder Nicolo Martinenghi.

From the nine heats of 50 breaststroke, we speed along into the Women’s 200 freestyle, an event where the reigning Olympic Champion, Mollie O’Callaghan, is the top seed. With several absences, notably the other medalists from Paris, compatriot Ariarne Titmus and Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey, O’Callaghan might set her sights on making another run at WR, as she is seeded just .25 off the mark, but don’t count out her competition as the field is ripe with athletes looking to make some large time drops. Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey earned her first individual medal last night in the 200 IM, and like MOC, she swims a very back half heavy race, so she can never be counted out, nor can the #3 seed Barbora Seemanova, who as strong 100 free swimmer, may jump out in front and look to cruise into the semis tonights. While all these swimmers draw attention, most eyes will likely be focused on the penultimate heat where the USA’s Claire Weinstein is scheduled to swim. The American teenager entered the 400 free on day 1, but withdrew from the race mere minutes before it was scheduled to start.

With both the Olympic gold and silver medalists absent, the men’s 200 fly looks to be wide open. Luca Urlando is the top seed, but will be looking to avoid a repeat of his Olympic performance, where he failed to advance out of the prelims. His American compatriot, Carson Foster, is the #3 seed and the pair sandwich the Olympic bronze medalist Ilya Kharun, who was just .01 away from a potential spot in the 50 fly final.

Top Seeds

• Men’s 50 Breast – Ilya Shymanovich (NAA)
• Women’s 200 Free – Mollie O’Callaghan (AUS)
• Men’s 200 Fly – Luca Urlando (USA)
• Men’s 800 Free – Sven Schwarz (GER)