2025 WORLD AQUATICS SWIMMING WORLD CUP – Toronto
- October 23-25, 2025
- Toronto, Canada
- SCM (25 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Recaps
The final day of the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup brought the heat, with multiple national records and a World Record falling in Toronto, Canada.
- If you missed the action, check out our live recap of the session.
After the dust settled, several of the winners winners took to the mic to discuss their races, mindset, and excitement about competing against the world’s best.
All quote excerpts are courtesy of World Aquatics.
MEN’S 400M IM GOLD – Shaine Casas (USA), 3:56.13 *WORLD CUP RECORD*
Speaking about his performance in the 400 IM, Casas said, “That one hurt, I’m not going to lie. I pushed that one. Normally I don’t think I would have been in for the best time, but I had to just send it. I had an extra shot of espresso, and I was shaking before my race. I was so nervous, but it was good. I fed off the crowd and I kind of just kept pushing and thought about that mindset that we have in practice and I just kept pushing, kept digging. And I saw, I don’t know who it was to my right, they were right on me. So I was like, nah, I’m not losing this. I’m not losing this time. And just got my hand on the wall and was happy to move forward from that.”
Discussing racing the three IM races, Casas stated, “I don’t really understand how my 100 and 400 progressed, but my 200 kind of stagnated. I do think that had something to do with being able to race Léon (Marchand – FRA) because it is just such a fun time. Our strengths are kind of in different places. So when we do race each other, we kind of help each other get out of those spots. Like my backstroke somehow can just be pretty bad in the IM split. So I’m happy with that. I mean I learned some. It’s good data for Bob (Bowman, coach) and good confidence for myself.”
“It’s great that I can do a 400 short course. I couldn’t guarantee you I’d do it long course, but definitely happy to be able to step up and get uncomfortable or get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And huge for my confidence building towards maybe 200 freestyle or other events that are not my forte or something that I’m very confident every time I step up in the blocks. So I’m happy with this,” Casas continued.
“This is a great experience. I don’t know if I would have been as happy if I hadn’t come to this and put these great swims together. I probably would have been a little bit frustrated because I’ve been coming off such a good year, so I’m really happy that I can keep that momentum,” he said regarding his overall World Cup experience.
Reflecting on winning the overall World Cup title and looking ahead, Casas stated, “It feels good. But now it’s time to buckle down a little bit and get back into training and get back with the program. Because I know Bob’s eager and I’m eager to make some strides. There’s a lot of things I saw that I was like, that’s not that good. Just always learning.”
WOMEN’S 800M FREESTYLE GOLD – Lani Pallister (AUS), 7:54.00 *WORLD RECORD*
Asked about breaking the world record, Pallister said, “Honestly, a bit weird. I think when I went (out in) 8:03 last week in the 1500, I knew it was a possibility and I almost considered just time trialing the 800 off the front of the 15 last week and realized that, 700 meters when you’re fatigued is a little bit harder to swim than if you just do a normal 800. So yeah, I’m really thrilled with that. It’s been such an incredible year and, yeah, I can’t wait to go back to training for the long course season now.”
When asked if she thought breaking the record by three seconds was possible, Pallister stated, “I rode the swim, swam, like short course to long course conversions. Normally like one and a half seconds per hundred meters from long course to short course. So if you take maybe 14 seconds off a long course time, it’s about a 7:53, which is pretty close to that. So, it’s pretty spot on with the conversion, but it’s really cool to race that fast after three weekends, back to back and yeah, I’m happy with it.”
“I had a short break off the back of World Champs ’cause I knew I wanted to race World Cups, but I didn’t do much pace work. It was more just long aerobic, getting the body back into it. And we go up to altitude tomorrow at Flagstaff, so a pretty big aerobic block at the moment. So if I come back to World Cups next year and fingers crossed, it’ll be faster again,” she said regarding her training leading into the World Cup series.
Reflecting on breaking Katie Ledecky’s mark, Pallister said, “God, Katie’s (Ledecky) done so many incredible things for the sport. I have her autograph sitting at home from 2014 and for a period of time it was my screensaver and it said ‘dream big.’ So it’s really special that now I’m in my career and I’m racing her. And, honestly, just sharing the pool with her in this era of distance swimming’s absolutely incredible. And to be someone that’s in a conversation with her and challenging those times is really, really incredible. And I’m very fortunate for the people that support me and my network that have allowed me to get to this position.”
“I was in Flagstaff in March with my mom (one of her coaches), and this time it’s the St. Peter’s group going up. So we leave tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM which is a very early wake up. But yeah, back into it, we race Aussie Nationals in December, and then Queensland States at the end of the year which is a long course meet that we normally race at as well,” Pallister added when asked about her three-week altitude training plans in Flagstaff.
WOMEN’S 100M BUTTERFLY GOLD – Gretchen Walsh (USA), 53.10 *WORLD CUP RECORD*
On her performance, Walsh said, “I feel like I executed it really well tonight. I learned from this morning, and I wanted to be 52, but honestly, being a half a second faster than any of my times throughout this whole series, that’s something I’m proud of. I’m very pleased with the 53 low, and I’m just looking forward to maybe swimming that (time) when I feel fresher and getting closer again to that world record because I don’t really know how I did that back in the day. I’m looking forward to making it a goal of mine again.”
“It’s definitely been a process, a learning process. I feel very motivated for my future because I feel like there’s a lot of things I’ve become hungry for. I’m not super enthusiastic about all of my performances here, but I’m definitely just proud of my ability to find motivation through all the highs and lows and stay positive and still be able to walk away happy with a lot of my times,” she added, reflecting on the World Cup series overall.
Discussing the prize money from winning three triple crowns, Walsh stated, “That’s kind of what this meet is about. It’s a fun addition to what makes people want to get their hands on the wall first, is an extra 10 grand. So I’m pretty happy with the fact that I was consistent and able to do that at every stop.”
MEN’S 50M BUTTERFLY GOLD – Ilya Kharun (CAN), 21.80
Speaking about winning the 100 fly and securing the triple crown, Kharun said, “It means, it means a whole lot. You know, I knew it was gonna be very close and I’m just so happy I got it done, you know, not, I’m just speechless. I’m just, yeah. Like I said, happy that I got it done.”
When asked if he felt how close the race was, he added, “I saw Noe Ponti splash on the second 25, and I knew it was gonna come down to me or him. I was just hoping that I got it. And you know what I did. I was just so happy that I saw that I won.”
“It was amazing. You know, I give my performance a high level because, you know, I’m getting pretty tired by the end of these weeks. And I’m just happy with how I did, you know, it’s very tough and I’m happy I could end it off like this,” Kharun stated on his performances across the three World Cup stops.
On competing in front of a home crowd in Toronto, he noted, “Yeah, it definitely raises my attention to the Canadian fans and it’s an honour.”
“Oh, it means a lot. I mean, Josh swam really amazing this week, so I didn’t realize that that was gonna happen and I think it was just very, a very fun and cool moment,” he said about the moment when Josh Liendo placed the crown on his head.
WOMEN’S 200M BACKSTROKE GOLD – Kaylie McKeown (AUS), 1:57.33 *WORLD RECORD*
Asked how the swim felt, McKeown said, “Not great. During the warm up, I was actually really nervous, which is new for me. I really try to just enjoy myself and enjoy the experience. But I think for me to get the best out of myself, (maybe) I need to be nervous. I’m just learning more things about myself as I go.”
On watching Lani Pallister break the world record, she added, “I could see the determination in Lani’s eyes when she was doing pre-activation and I knew she was going to do something special. It’s been a long time coming for her. I’ve been a training partner alongside her for the best part of four years, until this year. So it’s really nice to see her get up there and break that world record.”
“I think of the women in this sport, and women in general, (and they) are really tough. We push ourselves every single day and I’m not surprised by any records, any personal bests, (or the results) any finals that we make. Yeah, it’s no surprise. I don’t really know what to expect from these. I don’t know what to expect from short course meters but you know I’ve just kind of had a feel for it and each time I found a way that I like to race it,” she added.
McKeown said on her upcoming plans, “I’m actually having two weeks off. I spent the best part of the year kind of couch surfing and not having anywhere to live. I finally found a place to settle down which I’m so excited for having my dogs back, and a kitchen. It’s just something I think that’ll piece everything together, in my new squad.”
MEN’S 100M BACKSTROKE GOLD – Hubert Kos (HUN), 48.16 *WORLD RECORD*
Speaking about breaking the world record in the 100 back, Kos said, “It was great. The last 25 really, really hurt me, but I just wanted to get that on. I was, I came here wanting to get that record. I didn’t expect the 200, but, you know, we’ll take two. Really, really happy with (how I) performed over these three weeks and really sad it’s come to an end.”
On winning triple crowns in the 50 back and 100 back, he added, “I mean, listen, I got very lucky on the fifties, especially at Westmont, you know, out touch Casper by a hundredth, but a lot of the good 50 swimmers aren’t here, so I gotta respect that. But, I’m just like super proud of how I raced, how I performed and, you know, I kept getting better each week. Westmont, there was a little bit of a hiccup in the beginning, but happy I was able to smooth that over and just keep going and get there in the end.”
When asked if it was a mental shift as much as a physical shift over the course of the two weeks, Kos stated, “Well, listen, I never expected to even go close to these times. Like I would’ve taken a 1:48 on the two back beginning of the year, so to do what I did. Obviously, Carmel, when Leon pushed me, I saw there’s some potential here obviously. And I still didn’t know if my training was gonna be enough for three weeks worth of racing, but obviously, you know, it was. And I’m just super, super happy with how I performed. I love doing these, these World Cups and I’m just sad it’s over ’cause we gotta go up to altitude now in four days.”
WOMEN’S 50M BREASTSTROKE GOLD – Florine Gaspard (BEL), 29.48
On her strategy for the race, Gaspard said, “I wanted to have first place last weekend. This time again, I was swimming in the fourth lane. I just tried to have so much fun and tried to touch first, and that was the game plan.”
She added on managing her nerves in lane four, “Last weekend I was a bit nervous to be laying four, so I just tried to focus on myself, do everything a bit better, and just race and have fun.”
“Yeah, that’s a national record. First stop in Carmel, that was 58 (seconds), and now 48 (seconds), so that’s pretty nice,” Gaspard stated on her improvement throughout the series.
On the strength of the Belgian team, she said, “We have a great team, and that’s always really nice to be back in a high level.”
Discussing coach Mark Faber’s impact, Gaspard added, “I think he’s really a professional guy and he really brought us into the really high level and he just tried to teach us how to race, how to be surrounded by the best. He was really good for the Netherlands and now in Belgium he’s doing the same.”
MEN’S 200M BREASTSTROKE GOLD – Casper Corbeau (NED), 1:59.52 *WORLD RECORD*
On breaking the world record, Corbeau said, “I don’t really know what to say. It was kind of surreal. I didn’t expect to see that. I thought I would go another probably 2:01, 2-double-oh. But, you know, to see that right now, and where I am in my career, I think that’s pretty special. And, you know, maybe there’s more to come.”
Discussing his expectations going into the race, Corbeau stated, “You know, going into this week, and after having the hundred, which was a big, big race for me, people were saying, Hey, you know, if you have that speed, maybe you can do something in the 200 and maybe, scare the world record. So, you know, that was always looming in the back of my mind. But honestly, I was just trying to get up there and execute my race, not be scared, and just have fun.”
“I’m not processing it to be honest. It’s just kind of, it’s there right now. I need to go talk to my friends and my family. But you know, it’ll take some time,” he added on being the first person to break two minutes in the 200 breaststroke.
On the multiple world records set during the session, Corbeau said, “I don’t know. I mean, I saw Hubert (Kos) do that too, two events before me. I was like, well, you know, if he can do it. You know, why can’t someone else.”
He added on the technical improvements that led to the record, “A lot of this stuff has just been relating to technique and strategy. I’ve been truly trying to work with Mark, my coach about stroke length. I think that’s a gift of mine and to be able to use it to my strength in the short course pool is pretty important. So I just tried to swim my own race and, you know, be as smart and as efficient as possible.”
WOMEN’S 100M FREESTYLE GOLD – Kate Douglass (USA), 49.93 *WORLD RECORD*
On breaking 50 seconds in the 100 IM, Douglass said, “I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen tonight. I feel like I put together a really good race last weekend and so I was just hoping to go a little faster, but getting under 50 is pretty awesome. I think in my mind, I thought doing a 49 would be sick, but I had no idea if I was capable of that tonight.”
Reflecting on winning the overall women’s World Cup title, she added, “I feel like I didn’t even expect to be in contention for the top spot this year. I knew there was a lot of competition. I knew a lot of these girls were going to be capable of setting world records. And I mean, the 100 freestyle world record was not something I expected coming into this. So yeah, I’m surprised but really happy.”
On competing against training partner Gretchen Walsh for the overall title, Douglass stated, “I definitely think it’s super cool that someone that I train with every day (Gretchen Walsh) is going head to head with me in something like this, but we’re not actually racing each other. And so I think it’s exciting to root each other on and be happy for each other. And yeah, it was definitely a great rivalry this week.”
“Gonna get back to training. Probably gonna go to U.S. Open. But I think we’re traveling a little bit this month. Just gonna try to take a step back from swimming a little bit because this is just a lot mentally to kind of get through,” she said on her upcoming plans.
Discussing the energy at the final World Cup stop, Douglass added, “Just being the last stop. A lot more money being on the line has everyone just a little bit more excited to race. It’s been three weeks of racing and training together. We all were just ready to give it one last go and be done.”
MEN’S 200M FREESTYLE GOLD – Luke Hobson (USA), 1:39.94
Asked how he managed the race and the three weeks of racing, Hobson said, “Yeah, I mean, I think it’s been great. I’ve gotten faster pretty consistently throughout all three of my events, throughout the whole three stops. So really happy with that. And I think a lot of that’s just kind of a testament to the training I did before then kind of getting here and backing off a little. So kind of resting throughout all the racing, which seems kind of crazy, but it’s worked well and just been super fun.”
On what it means for the Americans to have him and Chris Guiliano going 1:39-1:40, he added, “Yeah, I mean, it’s amazing to get 200 freestylers and we want that four by two relay more than anything at the long course meets in the summer. So just keep working towards that and having Chris and I up there is a great start to hopefully motivate some others in the US, so we start winning some medals in that.”
Discussing training with Bob Bowman’s group in Austin, Hobson stated, “Yeah, I mean the results speak for themselves. It’s an amazing group and I couldn’t be happier with the work that we’ve been doing and the group that we have down there in Austin. So, I was really grateful for that and all the work we put in together as a whole and great to see each other do really well at meets like these.”
When asked if his approach is different now that he’s finished with NCAA eligibility, he said, “Yeah, I mean it’s a little different but it’s still kind of the same. Just put as much work as I can in the pool and just see how fast I can get. Try and keep it pretty simple.”
“Yeah, we leave, I guess next Thursday, so a couple days back in Austin. Then have an altitude for a while, which I’ve never done it, so should be good. I’m kind of looking forward to it and not, ’cause you know, it’s gonna be really hard, but it’ll be good for us,” he added on the upcoming altitude training camp.
On the prize money, Hobson said, “It feels good. I mean, it’s pretty hard to support yourself in this sport and whatever you can get, it’s kind of a relief, so it feels really good.”
He clarified that the altitude camp is just for the pros, stating, “Just the pros will go to the camp. College team will be back. They have a few dual meets and then invite coming up, so they’re focused on that.”
WOMEN’S 200M IM GOLD – Alex Walsh (USA), 2:04.01
On winning the 200 IM and securing the triple crown, Walsh said, “I’m really happy. Seeing the crown walk out in front of you. I just hoped I can put it together. But I saw that I was in the lead at the halfway mark and I knew that I have a really strong back half with the breast stroke so I felt really good and just hammered on the way home. I wish I was 2:03, but 2:04.01, I’ll take that.”
Discussing her improved performance from prelims to finals, she added, “I just tried to be more aggressive. This morning, I put together a really good race. I was definitely feeling fueled from my ninth place finish yesterday morning. So I really wanted to get the job done and secure lane four for tonight. So just working on getting out fast on that butterfly and really hammering my underwaters on the backstroke.”
Reflecting on the World Cup series overall, Walsh stated, “It’s definitely been a learning experience. I think more than anything I’m really proud of myself for just refocusing after yesterday morning. I was definitely really disappointed in terms of putting myself where I want to be with the ranking. There’s no room for error here. So hopefully in future World Cup stops I’ll be really prepared to show my A-game every time I race.”
Despite the time, I thought Kate Douglass looked really smooth in the heats of the W 100 FR at the Toronto, ON stop.
Very excited for US OPEN to see where everyone is at LCM after a great three weeks of racing! And hopefully adding Summer, Torri, and Katie Ledecky to the mix.