U.S. Picks up 3 Wins on Day 2 of World Juniors to Tie NAB for Most Golds

2025 World Junior Swimming Championships

• August 19-24, 2025
• Otopeni, Romania
• LCM (50 meters)
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  • Prelims: Day 1 | Day 2
  • Finals: Day 1  | Day 2

After walking away with zero golds on the first day of racing, the U.S. made a big comeback on day two. The Americans picked up three victories over the course of the second finals session, tying them with the Neutral Athletes ‘B’ team for the most number of gold medals thus far at the World Junior Championships.

Audrey Derivaux secured Team USA’s first win of the meet, winning the girls’ 200 fly. In an exciting back half, she narrowly outtouched NAB athlete Serafima Fokina by just one-tenth of a second to claim the gold.

The girls continued to shine for the U.S., with Rachel McAlpin taking home the gold in the 50 breast. Tying her best time exactly with a 30.78, McAlpin was the only competitor in the field to break the 31 second barrier. Picking up the Americans’ third and final victory of the night was Charlotte Crush, who won the 100 back by half a second.

While NAB only picked up one gold on day two, they did so in record-setting fashion courtesy of Mikhail Shcherbakov’s performance in the 200 IM. He won by a narrow margin of .07 and broke the Championship Record in the event by an even smaller margin, shaving just .04 off the standard.

Four countries broke into the medal table for the first time during the competition so far.

Ireland burst onto the scene with a gold medal in the boys’ 100 back thanks to a stellar performance by John Shortt. Lithuania and Romania both picked up a silver medal; Lithuania’s Smilte Plytnykaite was the runner-up in the girls’ 50 breast, while Romania’s Daria Mariuca Silisteanu took 2nd in the girls’ 100 back.

Canada edged their way onto the medal table with a bronze in the girls’ 100 back, courtesy of Madison Kryger.

World Juniors Medal Table Through Day 2