SINGAPORE– A strong contingent of ten Virginia swimming student-athletes and alumni are currently showcasing their talents at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, taking place from July 26 to August 3. Throughout the first six days of events, the Virginia Cavaliers have secured impressive victories, collecting a total of seven medals. Notably, Gretchen Walsh triumphed in the 100m Butterfly, and Kate Douglass captured gold in the 200m Breaststroke, along with individual silvers for Douglass in the 100m Breaststroke and Alex Walsh in the 200m Individual Medley (IM). Anna Moesch has also made her mark, earning two silver medals in relays.
On August 1, Douglass delivered an exceptional performance, dominating the 200m Breaststroke final. She recorded a time of 2:18.50, setting an American record as well as a World Aquatics Championship record, distancing herself from world record holder Evgenila Chikunova by 1.46 seconds. This victory marks Douglass’s third medal of the championships, adding to her earlier silver wins in both the 100m Breaststroke and the 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
Reflecting on her achievement, Douglass expressed her excitement more about the time than the title, revealing her determination to push her limits. “I really wanted to go two-eighteen last summer, so to finally drop below two-nineteen, I was just so happy about that,” she said.
On the same day, Gretchen Walsh showcased her talent in the 50m Butterfly, earning the fastest times in both the prelims and the semifinals, positioning her as the top seed for the finals scheduled for Saturday. The competition remains fierce, with Claire Curzan qualifying for the final in the 200m Backstroke as well, logging third-fastest times in both the prelims and semis.
Additionally, incoming Hoo Sara Curtis made history as she became the first Italian swimmer to compete in the final of the 100m Freestyle at the World Championships, finishing eighth with a time of 53.41 seconds.
The Cavaliers’ successes continue a legacy of strong performances at international events, building on past achievements. This year’s championships, which integrate extensive live coverage on platforms like Peacock, not only highlight individual talents but also emphasize teamwork and national pride with relay events.
The excitement will continue to build as more finals approach, and with the ongoing commitment of these athletes, the future of Virginia swimming looks promising. The performances at the World Championships could pave the way for continued successes in upcoming international competitions.