Summer McIntosh had her sights set on breaking the women’s 200-metre butterfly world record at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Despite falling short of the record set by China’s Liu Zige in 2009, McIntosh clinched her third gold medal with a remarkable time of two minutes 01.99 seconds, making it a meet record and the second-fastest time ever. American Regan Smith secured the silver medal, while Australian Elizabeth Dekkers claimed the bronze.
McIntosh, visibly disappointed at narrowly missing the world record, expressed her frustration post-race, stating, “I was so close, that’s what upsets me a little bit.” She acknowledged the room for improvement, highlighting a pivotal moment where she could have performed better. The Canadian swimmer’s exceptional performance garnered praise as she dominated the race from the beginning, displaying her remarkable form and determination.
Reflecting on her performance, McIntosh expressed her confidence and determination to strive for greater achievements in the upcoming seasons. Having secured her third world title in the event, McIntosh’s impressive track record also includes an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. With a total of 11 career medals at long-course worlds, McIntosh aims to push her limits further by aspiring to achieve five individual titles at the current competition, a feat only accomplished by the legendary Michael Phelps in the past.
McIntosh’s exceptional performance has positioned her as a formidable contender in the swimming world, with her eyes set on additional victories in the 800m freestyle and 400m IM events. The Canadian team’s success continued as they accumulated a total of six medals in the championships, showcasing their prowess in both swimming and diving disciplines.
In another thrilling event, French swimmer Leon Marchand claimed gold in the 200m IM, closely followed by American Shaine Casas and Hungarian Hubert Kos. The top three swimmers, all trained under the renowned coach Bob Bowman at the University of Texas, delivered exceptional performances, with Marchand nearly breaking the world record set by Ryan Lochte.
As McIntosh and her fellow athletes continue to shine on the global stage, their determination and commitment to excellence serve as a testament to their unwavering pursuit of success in the competitive world of aquatic sports.