Tommy Janton earned the US men’s 4×100 medley relay lead off leg at the 2025 World Championships after winning a swim off against Luca Urlando, he told Social Kick in a recent podcast. This confirms previous reports that Urlando had been seen warming up swimming backstroke while in Singapore with the potential of being the relay lead off on the final day of competition.
Two days before the men’s 4×100 medley relay, the US coaches had Janton do a swim off with Urlando. Urlando won gold in the men’s 200 fly in Singapore posting a lifetime best 1:51.87. Urlando did not race the 100 backstroke at US Summer Nationals and has not raced the long course version of the event since 2019. Although he does not typically swim long course backstroke, Urlando has raced the event for Georgia at the NCAA level and most notably broke the NCAA and American record in the event while leading off Georgia’s 400 medley relay back at 2022 NCAAs. Janton won the swim off, earning him the spot on the US men’s 4×100 medley relay.
Janton won the 100 backstroke at 2025 US Summer Nationals back in June swimming a lifetime best 53.00. He was slightly off that time at 2025 Worlds in Singapore as he swam to a 53.87 to finish 18th. His time from US Nationals would have been 10th in prelims and earned him a spot in semifinals.
Although he did not make it to semifinals, Janton still led off the men’s 4×100 medley relay in Singapore. He swam a 53.21 in prelims to help the US to the top seed before leading off in a 53.37 in finals as the US men went on to win bronze.
In his interview, Janton detailed that he did come down with the sickness that much of the US roster had during 2025 Worlds. He said that the peak of the sickness for him, which included a fever, was two days before his individual race.
After his individual 100 back, Janton continued training. He was not used on the 4×100 mixed medley relay as the US used Keaton Jones, who swam the individual 200 backstroke in Singapore. Jones split a 54.20 lead off leg as the US finished 10th and did not make the final.
Tommy Janton swam for a no name YMCA growing up. Crazy to see he is challenging the greats now.
Put some respect on the Western Wahoos! I swam there too
My guess is Luca sandbagged it. With the kind of form they were on he could have got it, but probably didn’t want to ruin his Fly momentum in case it turned out bad.
He wouldn’t have sandbagged it. He would’ve told the coaches he’s not interested. This isn’t age group swimming where you sandbang the swim-off because you don’t want to race a third 500 in the same day.
Wait why wasn’t it Casas on back and Luca fly? Would that have just made too much sense or is there an actual reason?
I said the same lol
yes because dare rose splitting a 50 low on fly was such a disastrous choice
I wonder how close it was. I’m dying to know what he went.
TOMMY JANTON IS AN ANIMAL ABSOLUTELY DIALED HE HAS MASSSIVE B*ALLLLS
I’m sorry most got sick but coaces’ relay choices at worlds was a $hit show
Not shocked this occurred this year but wow is all I can say to that.
Now I’m curious what Luca went in the big pool
imma guess 53 mid/high if he lost to janton who im guessing went 53 mid/low