2025 World Championships
- July 27 – August 3, 2025 (pool swimming)
- Singapore, Singapore
- World Aquatics Championships Arena
- LCM (50m)
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The men’s 800m freestyle final took place this evening and it was a stellar display of swimming at the hands of Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaouadi.
The 20-year-old got to the wall in a stunning time of 7:36.88, beating the German pair of Sven Schwarz and Lukas Märtens.
Schwarz settled for silver over 3 seconds back in 7:39.96 while Märtens rounded out the podium in 7:40.19.
As for Jaouadi, his effort now renders him the #3 performer in history while his time checks in as the 3rd swiftest performance ever.
Additionally, Jaouadi’s outing is a new textile World Record, as the top 2 performances were registered in 2009 during the supersuit era.
Top 5 Men’s LCM Performers All-Time
- Zhang Lin (CHN) – 7:32.12, 2009
- Ous Mellouli (TUN) – 7:35.27, 2009
- Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) – 7:36.88, 2025
- Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) – 7:37.00, 2023
- Sam Short (AUS) – 7:37.76, 2023
Top 5 Men’s LCM Performances All-Time
- 7:32.12 – Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
- 7:35.27 – Ous Mellouli (TUN), 2009
- 7:36.88 – Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN), 2025
- 7:37.00 – Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) – 2023
- 7:37.76 – Sam Short (AUS) -2023
Top 5 Men’s LCM Performances TEXTILE ONLY All-Time
- 7:36.88 – Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN), 2025
- 7:37.00 – Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN), 2023
- 7:37.76 – Sam Short (AUS), 2023
- 7:38.12 – Sven Schwarz (GER), 2025
- 7:38.19 – Daniel Wiffen (IRL), 2024
Entering this competition, Jaouadi’s lifetime best rested at the 7:42.07 established at the 2024 Olympic Games. He ultimately hit a time of 7:42.83 to place 4th in the Paris final.
Splits for Jaouadi’s amazing effort this evening are below, with the rising star leading as of the 350m mark.

Men’s 800 Freestyle — FINAL
- World Record: 7:32.12 — Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
- World Junior Record: 7:43.37 — Lorenzo Galossi (ITA), 2022
- World Championships Record: 7:32.12 – Zhang Lin (CHN), 2009
- 2023 World Champion: Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN), 7:37.00
- 2024 Olympic Champion: Daniel Wiffen (IRL), 7:38.19
- Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN), 7:36.88
- Sven Schwarz (GER), 7:39.96
- Lukas Märtens (GER), 7:40.19
- Bobby Finke (USA), 7:46.42
- Daniel Wiffen (IRL), 7:58.56
- Kuzey Tuncelli (TUR), 7:49.09
- Victor Johansson (SWE), 7:47.00
- Benjamin Goedemans (AUS), 7:50.72

I think this is going to end up being an underrated swim from this meet–it’s understandably overshadowed by Marchand’s WR today, but 7:36 is seriously impressive and shows how far this event had come. And Jaouadi is fairly young and with some obvious ability to get faster if he improves some of his skills
Also, this swim pushes Finke down to #10 all time performer, equaling his rank in the 400 IM where he is also the #10 performer. I really hope the Pan Pacs schedule next year lets him swim the 400 IM so we can see what he can do tapered and healthy.
Getting closer and closer…… 7:36 low next, then 7:35….. eventually…..
Crying happy tears for Luca in Boston! It’s been a long, hard road.
It’s absolute wild that #2, 3, and 4 all time performers are all Tunisian
Soon another one (R.R) will join
I guess it’s the beginning of a new era
Very curious, does anyone know why Tunisia 🇹🇳 puts out these great 800 m athletes?
perhaps violated anti-doping guidelines at least once
We have a better genetic deal with it
obviously they don’t need that kind of help as they excelled in different competitions at different periods
I think it started after Ossama Mellouli took the gold in 1500m free at 2008 Beijing Olympic. He inspired young generation to become like him.
Carthaginian genes