Australia secured the gold medal in a thriller. © ANSA / FAZRY ISMAIL

Australia triumphs in gold thriller

The world's two best swimming nations battled it out in a thrilling duel at the World Championships in Singapore on Thursday. Australia narrowly beat the USA in the 4x200 meters.

July 31, 2025

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Before the start of the World Championships, swimmers from the USA and Australia occupied the top six places in the 200-meter freestyle world rankings—setting the stage for a thriller in Singapore. The USA and Australia had alternated gold medals at seven of the last eight World Championships, but now Australia celebrated its third consecutive triumph over its fierce rivals.

On Thursday, Lani Pallister (1:54,77 minutes), Jamie Perkins (1:55,13), Brittany Castelluzzo (1:56,01), and Mollie O'Callaghan (1:53,44) beat the US quartet of Claire Weinstein (1:54,83), Anna Peplowski (1:54,75), Erin Gemmell (1:56,72), and Katie Ledecky (1:53,71). In the final, only 7 hundredths of a second separated Australia (39,35:7) and the USA (40,01:66). China finished third, 3,64 seconds behind.

US girls celebrate double victory

There was still cause for celebration in the US camp, however. Katharine Berkoff was crowned the new world champion in the 50-meter backstroke. The 24-year-old needed 27,08 seconds on Thursday afternoon, with fellow countrywoman Regan Smith (27,25) just behind her to complete the one-two. China's Letian Wan (27,30) completed the podium.