While the theme of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore was the gastrointestinal problems that devastated the meets of medal hopefuls, among the scratches were stories of grit and perseverance. Not only from swimmers like Gretchen Walsh and Torri Huske, who started the meet unable to race and finished with a World Record, but swimmers who came into the event with something to prove after being hit by injuries and illnesses that were either acute or career-altering.
At the grandest stage of the summer, in a meet struck by scratches, illnesses, and injury, some of the most unforgettable moments in Singapore came from athletes who simply refused to give in.
Luca Urlando – A Shoulder Shattered, a Crown Claimed
When Luca Urlando launched into the 200 butterfly final, few outside of Team USA knew what it had taken to get there. Just two years ago, Urlando was stuck in a grim cycle of shoulder dislocations, each one a cruel reset on a promising young career. The 2022 incident at the U.S. Open—where he popped his shoulder mid-race—could have ended it all.
But in Singapore, Urlando didn’t just return. He clocked a 1:51.87 to win his first world title and established himself as the fourth-fastest performer in history.
“The belief that I can get back to a moment like this after all that adversity. Just internal belief.” Urlando told World Aquatics after his 200 fly gold.
This was more than a gold medal. It was a full-circle moment for one of USA Swimming’s most tenacious talents, a quiet but emphatic declaration that perseverance, not pain, would define his story.
Kaylee McKeown – A Hidden Hindrance, and a Historic Record
Walking out onto the deck for the women’s 100 back final with the same competitive demeanor Kaylee McKeown famously carries. But what the cameras didn’t catch—until she let it slip post-race—was the pain hiding underneath.
McKeown had dislocated her shoulder in training just weeks before the meet. “It’s been quite irritated but I’ve got a good medical team and physiotherapists to help me get through.” McKeown told World Aquatics following her 100 back victory. The world hadn’t known long at all. But she still swam.
McKeown stormed to a 57.16, a World Championship Record. She doubled up her wins with a 200 back performance, once again in a new championship record.
With her wins, she defended her titles from Paris, with a body that likely was not in top shape.
Kaylee McKeown by Nardia Mulkerrins
Mollie O’Callaghan – Mental Toll of Injury Recovery, and Topping the 200 Free
Early this year, Mollie O’Callaghan found herself sidelined—not with just any injury, but a dislocated knee that re-aggravated old doubts from her late teenage years. The road back was slow, but if there’s one thing O’Callaghan has proven time and again, it’s her refusal to be counted out.
Prior to the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, O’Callaghan injured her other knee that June while stretching. She persevered, choosing to still compete at the World Championships a month later. In Fukuoka, O’Callaghan went on to win five gold medals, taking wins in both the 100 and 200 freestyles, setting a new World Record in the 200 free. She has shown herself to be able to compete at this level more than once, even with a lingering hindrance.
On Day 4 in Singapore, she reclaimed her spot at the top with a remarkable win in the 200 freestyle, fending off an elite field with a surge in the final 25 meters. It was her first individual gold of the meet—and a testament to the work done far from the spotlight.
“Having a big long break after the Olympics was well needed, and then coming back from injury myself. I am so thankful to have an amazing coach, to guide me through this difficult time.” O’Callaghan told World Aquatics after a gold medal effort in the 200 free. “I know it has been hard for a lot of people to come back after the Olympics, but I am very grateful to have a good support from the team to get me through this mentally and physically.”
Mollie O’Callaghan by Nardia Mulkerrins
Leon Marchand – Injury Setbacks, Decision Making, and a Record-Breaking
For Leon Marchand, the path to Singapore was bumpy at times.
The reigning Olympic and World Champion had been notably absent from the early-2025 racing circuit, sidelined by two separate injury setbacks that disrupted both his training and competitions. He had subluxated his shoulder in December of 2024, and suffered a stress fracture in his rib a few weeks later.
And then came another surprise: just days before the start of Worlds, Marchand scratched the 200 breast and 200 fly—two events where he was a podium contender (and favorite)—to focus solely on the 200 IM and 400 IM.
In the 200 IM final, Marchand didn’t just win. He obliterated Ryan Lochte’s 2011 world record, one of the sport’s most enduring standards, touching in 1:52.69.
“I feel like all the choices I made this year were the right ones, and I want to thank everyone who’s been supporting me.” Marchand said in an interview with World Aquatics.
Leon Marchand (photo: Jack Spitser)
Lani Pallister – A Warrior’s Path Back from Heart Surgery
At one time, Lani Pallister underwent heart surgery to correct supraventricular tachycardia, a condition that rapidly speeds up the heart rate, threatening to end her career.
Pallister didn’t let the past affect her future. In Singapore, Pallister finished with a bronze medal in the 1500 free in national record time, and was a headliner in one of the biggest races of the meet, the women’s 800 free.
A race with the spotlights on Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh, Palister kept up with the two mega stars, putting on a late surge to pass by McIntosh to win silver behind Ledecky’s gold. The race was more than silver; it was a defining one in her career, a new best time by over four and a half seconds, and a new Oceanian record.
Lani Pallister (Photo Credit: Delly Carr/Swimming Australia)
Andrej Barna – Beating Cancer and Breaking Records in Serbia’s Sprint Lane
Serbian Andrej Barna was once diagnosed with kidney cancer back in 2019, before battling between the lanelines, he was battling for his health and well-being.
Barna had surgery for the cancer in 2019 and got back into the pool less than two months later.
In a press conference at the University of Louisville back in 2021, Barna opened up about the struggles following his diagnosis and health journey.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be able to swim again. There was a lot of things I had to figure out.”
In Singapore, Barna swam to a new Serbian record in the 50 free in 21.44, the fourth time he reset the mark this year. In the prelims, Barna’s 21.44 led all times heading into the semifinals. Barna now leaves Singapore with a 6th-place finish in the 50 free.
Andrej Barna (photo: Jack Spitser)
Victor Johansson – A Series of Unfortunate Events to Swedish History
Victor Johansson of Sweden entered Singapore marked by many misfortunes: he was on a respirator in December of 2020, he suffered testosterone imbalances, a broken finger, suffered from COVID in 2022, and a golf cart accident during Easter weekend in 2023 that caused him to miss the World Championships that summer, had all threatened to take him down.
Looking to rebound in a big way following his Olympic performance in Paris, (where he failed to make a final) Johansson arrived in Singapore determined, and he delivered.
On Day 1, Johansson shaved his own national 400 freestyle record down to 3:45.26 in the heats, then trimmed it again to 3:44.68 in the final, becoming the first Swede under 3:45 and earning fourth place, his best worlds placement ever.
He later lowered his 800 freestyle mark to 7:44.81 in the prelims, taking down Olympic gold medalists Daniel Wiffen (Ireland) and Lukas Martens (Germany) in another record-breaking effort, before finishing fifth in the final.
Victor Johansson (photo: Jack Spitser)
All of these stories are amazing. But let’s not forget Torri Huske! She had such a full week, especially being one of the American swimmers who was sick. Torri had to swim fly on mixed 4×100 medley relay after opting out of the individual 100 fly. Thankfully she ended the championship on a good note anchoring the mixed 4×100 free relay and the women’s 4×100 medley relay and bronze in the 100 free.
Milou van Wijk also had a cancer scare when she was quite young. Different case from the one outlined here but notable nevertheless https://www.msn.com/nl-nl/entertainment/nieuws/ondanks-zeldzaam-syndroom-en-kankerverleden-bestormt-milou-van-wijk-de-wereldtop/ar-AA1IZz4v
Even Ryan Lochte did not manage to have a golf cart accident!
A lovely piece of journalism that sets aside the romanticism of the athlete and addresses the cold hard realities of competition, followed by injury, followed by recovery and triumph!
Let’s not forget about Rikako Ikee of Japan. While she is no longer the top-tiered competitor that she was prior to her cancer diagnosis, it is amazing what she has been able to accomplish in the pool after her 2-year battle with leukemia. If I’m not mistaken, she reached the semis in both 50/100 fly events in Singapore. Truly inspiring!
I’m so glad I watched her peak performance in person at 2018 Asian Games.
Would love a focus on Simone Manuel. Said it in another post, but had quietly been the Swiss Army knife on literally every relay available to her. 4×1, 4×2, medley, and both mixed relays. She earned, what, 4 medals this meet? And she was absolutely necessary (and consistent) for each one. She didn’t win any individuals, but pretty much the definition of team player/leader this year
Simone Manuel is not a swiss army knife when she swims only 100 and 200 free, otherwise soooo many swimmers in Singapore are also Swiss army knife.
Swiss Army Knife is someone like Douglas or McIntosh or Zhang or Ceccon or Grousset who swims across strokes, events, and distances.
She swam in 5 relays, with several of them being depleted by sickness this meet. She was 52 high, 1:56 for her swims. A Swiss Army knife is a tool that can be used to help in multiple situations. That’s exactly what she did.
And she was so dang consistent, which was much needed at this meet amongst so much uncertainty!
Loving all these stories.
To all those swimmers that suffered in some way in the lead up to worlds. A speedy recovery and a life back to normal!