Highlight Race Videos From The 2025 World Championships

2025 World Championships

• July 27-August 3, 2025 (Pool Swimming)
• Singapore, Singapore
• World Aquatics Championship Arena
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central
• How To Watch
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• Entry Book
• Live Results
• Live Recaps
  • Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8
  • Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8

Between Leon Marchand’s otherworldly 200 IM and Katie Ledecky’s victory in the “Race of the Century”, the 2025 World Championships in Singapore featured some of the most exhilarating races in history. Here are the race videos from the most exciting races of the meet.

Leon Marchand Shatters the World Record In Men’s 200 IM

1. Leon Marchand (FRA): 1:53.68
2. Shaine Casas (USA): 1:54.30
3. Hubert Kos (HUN): 1:55.34

Leon Marchand laid down one of the most impressive swims of all time in the semifinals of the men’s 200 IM. He blazed to a time of 1:52.69, crushing Ryan Lochte’s previous world record of 1:54.00. Marchand went on to take victory in the final in 1:53.68, a time that is still quicker than Lochte’s previous record, yet nowhere near Marchand’s transcendent semifinals swim.

Katie Ledecky wins the “Race of the Century”

1. Katie Ledecky (USA): 8:05.62
2. Lani Pallister (AUS): 8:05.98
3. Summer McIntosh (CAN): 8:07.29

The showdown between Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh was by far the most anticipated race going into Worlds. Ledecky came out on top, clocking 8:05.62 to best McIntosh and surprise contender Lani Pallister. Pallister managed to turn what was expected to be a two-way clash of titans into a three-way battle for the podium. She touched the wall second (8:05.98), ahead of third-place finisher McIntosh (8:07.29)

Summer McIntosh Scorches the Championship Record in Women’s 200 Fly

1. Summer McIntosh (CAN): 2:01.99
2. Regan Smith (USA): 2:04.99
3. Elizabeth Dekkers (AUS): 2:06.12

Summer McIntosh had one of the most impressive World Championships in history, and the women’s 200 butterfly was the highlight of the 18-year-old Canadian swimmer’s meet. She roared to victory with a time of 2:01.99, missing Liu Zige’s World Record by just .18 seconds. McIntosh won gold in the 400 freestyle as well, and swept the women’s IM events to bring home a total of four gold medals. She also won a bronze medal in the 800 free.

The women’s 200 fly also saw a stunning performance from Yu Zidi. The Chinese prodigy placed 4th at the World Championships at just 12 years of age, just missing the podium with a time of 2:06.43

Team USA Sets New World Record in Mixed 4×100 Free Relay 

1. United States: 3:18.48
2. Neutral Athletes B: 3:19.68
3. France: 3:21.35

Jack Alexy (46.91), Patrick Sammon (46.70), Kate Douglass (52.43), and Torri Huske (52.44) broke the World Record in the mixed 4×100 freestyle relay, spurring Team USA to a strong finish at what had been a tumultuous meet. Alexy and Sammon both threw down sub-47 swims in the opening legs, buying Douglass and Huske a huge lead that they were able to convert into a gold medal and World Record.

Team USA Closes Out The Meet With a World Record in Women’s 4×100 Medley Relay 

1. United States: 3:49.34
2. Australia: 3:52.67
3. China: 3:54.77

Team USA closed out the meet with a bang: Regan Smith (57.57), Kate Douglass (1:04.27), Gretchen Walsh (54.98), and Torri Huske (52.52) put together a World Record in the last event of the meet, the women’s 4×100 medley relay. The race was highlighted by Walsh’s 100 fly split, which was the fastest in history.

Kate Douglass Breaks the American Record in the Women’s 200 Breaststroke

1. Kate Douglass (USA): 2:18.50
2. Evgenia Chikunova (NAB): 2:19.96
3. Kaylene Corbett (RSA), Alina Zmushka (NAA): 2:23.52

Kate Dougalss won gold in the women’s 200 breaststroke. She flew to a time of 2:18.50,  breaking the 2:19 barrier for the first time and setting a new Championship and American Record. The swim made Douglass the 2nd fastest performer in history, behind only Evgenia Chikunova.

David Popovici Throws Down The 2nd Fastest Time In History to Win Men’s 100 Free

1. David Popovici (ROU): 46.51
2. Jack Alexy (USA): 46.92
3. Kyle Chalmers (AUS): 47.17

David Popovici blasted off to a personal best of 46.51 in the final of the men’s 100 free, clocking the 2nd fastest time in history to take gold. The Romanian swimmer was able to beat a stacked field, including newly minted American Record holder Jack Alexy (46.92) and the ever-present Australian freestyle dynamo Kyle Chalmers (47.17).