New father Cam McEvoy has powered to the 50m freestyle world gold to go with his Olympic crown, while Australia’s Kaylee McKeown underlined her backstroke dominance with a world championships double after winning the 200m in Singapore
McEvoy— who is at his seventh world championships — reclaimed the title he won in 2023, turning on the afterburners in the second half of the sprint to win in 21.14sec.
Britain’s Ben Proud took silver in 21.26, with Jack Alexy of the United States in bronze in 21.46.
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McEvoy’s son Hartley was born only last month and the swimming ace gave a shoutout to his family after victory.
Being a father had given him a new outlook, he said.
“Unreal, it’s been a pretty hectic preparation,” said McEvoy.
“Just glad I got my hand on the wall first and in a great time.
“Enjoy it while it lasts, but I’m so excited to go home.”
Meanwhile, McKeown again got the better of Regan Smith, touching the wall in a championships-record 2min 03.33sec to beat her American arch-rival into second place in 2:04.29. Another American, Claire Curzan, was third in 2:06.04.
McKeown picked up the 100m backstroke gold earlier this week in Singapore — also beating Smith into second — for her sixth career world title.
She also won the 100-200 backstroke double at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
McKeown made a fast start but Smith held on and overtook her rival heading into the final lap.
McKeown switched up the gears to regain the lead and power towards the finish, although she fell just short of her own world record.
The Australian’s time was the third-fastest swim ever.
Later, United States great Katie Ledecky beat Summer McIntoshand and held off Australia’s Lani Pallister in a titanic three-way battle to win a thrilling 800m freestyle world title.
Ledecky won her seventh career gold in the event but she was challenged like never before, touching the wall in a championship-record 8min 05.62sec — a fingertip ahead of Pallister (8:05.98) and McIntosh (8:07.29).
It was Canadian sensation McIntosh’s first defeat of the championships and ended her bid to match Michael Phelps as the only swimmer ever to win five individual golds at a single world championships.
The 18-year-old has already won three golds this week in Singapore. Ledecky, 28, had too much staying power for her younger rival, with Pallister also in gold-medal contention until the final lunge for the line.
“They pushed me all the way,” said Ledecky, a four-time Olympic champion in the event.
“I’m just really happy I could put that together. I just kept telling myself to trust my legs.”
The race was billed as a potential changing of the guard, with McIntosh in red-hot form.
She had also threatened Ledecky’s world record earlier this year. Pallister was determined to insert her name into the conversation as well, as the Australian kept pace with Ledecky and McIntosh in a fast start.
The lead changed hands several times but Ledecky, swimming between her two rivals, looked best-placed to strike for home.
In the end it was the American celebrating with her country’s flag on the pool deck after an epic race.
“I think I just came into tonight trying to enjoy it as much as I can,” said Ledecky.
“I don’t feel like I have much to lose at this point in my career. “I just try to enjoy it every time I get to walk out in front of a crowd like this.”
— AFP
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