2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- WORLD CHAMPS WATCH PARTY – DAILY
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Entry Book
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap | Day 4 Finals Live Recap
A big shake-up happened in the swimming medal table on day 4 of the World Championships, as the nation of China frog-hopped the United States to rank #2 overall.
Before we get to that, however, let’s recognize it was another big night for medal leaders Australia.
Mollie O’Callaghan downed the third World Record for the nation over the course of the first half of these World Championships.
Following teammate Ariarne Titmus‘ new mark in the 400m free on night one and the Aussie women’s 4x100m free relay scorching a new WR in that event, MOC fired off a time of 1:52.85 to win the women’s 200m free.
Titmus snagged silver right behind to give the Aussies a 1-2 punch in that race, while Sam Short secured silver in the men’s 800m free to double up on his 400m free win already here.
To cap off the night, the Aussie mixed medley relay landed on the podium with bronze.
All told, Australia owns 6 gold medals, double that of the United States at this point in the competition.
Chugging along its medal-reaping track was China, snagging two more pieces of hardware with a gold and bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
On-fire Qin Haiyang doubled up on his 100m breast win with another top spot while teammate Sun Jiajun followed him with bronze.
China put an exclamation point on the night with a tremendous win in the mixed medley relay, surging ahead of Australia and the United States who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
Nic Fink was a bright spot for the U.S. he snagged silver between the Chinese men in the 100m breast.
But for perspective on the stars n’ stripes performance as a whole, at this point last year in Budapest the United States had already captured 22 medals, including 10 golds. The nation has its work cut out for it to get up to that level over the next four days.
I find the discussion about the medal tally and comparing the results of other countries to the US as though the comparison is equable quite strange. For example, Australia which looks as though it may be the most successful nation has only around 25 million people while the US has 330 million. Although swimming is popular its relatively small population and proportionately fewer resources will always make it difficult to compete equally against a country with over 300 million more people. It’s surprising that Australia does so well internationally in so many sports. Not just swimming.
US is under performing…END off story
True but it’s not the first time that’s happened at World’s. Let see if you’re still on your high horse come next Summer.
as more nations spend time and money on swimming generally, the traditional medal table leaders will lose some of their lustre. The U.S.and Australia have only been traditional world leaders because of opportunity, not intrinsic superiority.
Also, it is pretty clear that US Swimming and diving is in a major transition and passing of the torch. (A personal aside, cudos to Murph and Katie)
Regardless of medal numbers and/or colors, most knowledgeable observers must confess that, so far, this has been a very disappointing Worlds for US Swimming; almost shocking really.
So its all about gold medals …. USA still is dominant in total podium spots …. but we don’t mention that even once …. USA swimming is still very strong and the youngsters are coming ….. I wish SwimSwam would quit their total focus on golds ….
big money college system, huge numbers of swimmers in the U.S. system, traditionally a country blessed from fighting wars on home soil, the insatiable desire to show world dominance in every facet of life …. silver and bronze medals aren’t given the value they deserve once winning becomes the ONLY thing. Unless of course the number of Golds is less than other nations have earned.
This is what you get when the US coaches have divided loyalties between America and other Federations
why is it about loyalties? You make it sound like it’s a treacherous thing – like people deserting in times of war. If that’s what winning must become it would be the greatest shame.
Coaches who opt to take employment opportunities overseas are bettering swimming standards world-wide. It’s not all about holding onto your “resources” simply to remain top, sorry! ……. and watch those Chinese swimmers starting to knock others back to Bronze position
Finally a story about the medal table 🙂
There has been a story about the medal table every day of the meet.
gold medal chances:
AUS: W 100 free, W 800 free relay, Mixed 400 free relay are pretty close to certain.
pretty good shots at W 200 bk, M 100 fr, W medley
Outside shots at M 200 br, M Medley, W 50 bk, M 1500
USA: W 800 fr, M 200 bk are pretty certain.
chances at W 50/200 bk, W 200 fly, M 50 bk, M 1500, W 200 br, both medleys/800 fr relays
outside shot in M 100 fly, W 400 IM, mixed 400 free relay
CHI: great shot at M 200 br, men’s medley, chances at W 800 fr relay
Right now, there is a pretty good chance Australia tops the medal table.… Read more »
Pretty sure you wouldn’t say 200 breast is an outside shot when Stubblety Cook is world record holder, Olympic champion and world champion!
Also pretty good shot at M 50 free and W 50 free for Australia.