Australia tops swimming medal table at World Aquatics Championships

July 31, 2023

The Australian Dolphins swim team amassed a record-breaking haul of medals at the 20th edition of the World Aquatics Championships having taken place from 14th to 30th July 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan.

The Australian Dolphins swim team’s 25 medals saw Australia become the world's number one swimming nation.

Overall, the Dolphins secured an impressive 13 gold medals, seven silvers and five bronze rendering this competition the second time since the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne that Australia has beaten the United States in the medal table at an elite international meet.

The last occasion was also in Fukuoka at the 2001 edition of the World Championships.

Claiming gold in both the men’s and women’s medley relays helped the United States frog-hop China to land #2 in the medal table, taking home the most medals with 38, comprised of seven golds, 20 silvers and 11 bronze. China’s five golds ensured a 3rd place medal table finish.

The United States’ total of 38 medals represents the country’s second biggest haul at a World Championships.

Swimming Australia's head coach Rohan Taylor shared "I am just proud of the fact they were able to get up on the big stage and do that.”

Queenslander Mollie O'Callaghan departs with five gold medals and a silver - the 19-year-old featured in three of Australia's four world records at the meet.

Her teammate Kaylee McKeown was named female swimmer of the year after her sweep of backstroke golds over 50 metres, 100m and 200m.

McKeown adds "I am happy with what I have done this week. But I have teammates like Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O'Callaghan who have broken world records this week.

"As proud as I am, I feel like I have should share that (award) with my teammates.

"I never thought in a million years I would be named swimmer of the year but it's pretty cool."

Australia's overall tally was boosted on Sunday night's last session at the pool with silver medals to Shayna Jack (women's 50m freestyle) and Australia's women's 4x100m medley relay team.

Jenna Forrester claimed bronze in the women's 400m medley, as did Australia's men's 4x100m medley relay team and Sam Short in the men's 800m freestyle.

Jack took the 50m freestyle silver in a race won by Sweden's world record holder Sarah Sjoestroem.

Sjoestroem, who set a world record of 23.61 seconds in her Saturday semi-final on Saturday, won gold in 23.62 followed by Jack (24.10), with Australia's Emma McKeon (24.35) fifth.

The Dolphins' women's medley relay team of McKeown, Abbey Harkin, McKeon and Mollie O'Callaghan clocked three minutes 53.37 seconds to finish behind the United States (3:52.08).

In the women's 400m medley, Forrester clocked four minutes 32.20 seconds in her medley final to finish behind Canada's world record holder Summer McIntosh (4:27.11) and American Katie Grimes (4:31.41).

Short finished third in the men's 1500m freestyle to complete his medal set in Fukuoka.

He won Australia's first gold medal of the titles a week ago in the 400m freestyle, and silver in the 800m freestyle.

In the 1500m medal race, the 19-year-old issued a gallant early challenge to lead for the initial 950 metres.

But Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui and American Bobby Finke reeled in the Australian, who finished third in 14 minutes 37.28 seconds.

Hafnaoui (14:31.54) held off Finke (14:31.59) in a last-lap dash to win gold.

Australia's men's medley relayers - Brad Woodward, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matt Temple, Kyle Chalmers - were lifted to the bronze by yet another rapid last lap from freestyler Chalmers.

The Australians clocked 3:29.62 to place behind the United States (3:27.20) and China (3:29.00).

MEDALS DAY 8
Silver
Women's 50m Freestyle - Shayna Jack (24.10)

Men's 4x100m Medley Relay - Brad Woodward, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matt Temple, Kyle Chalmers (3:29.62)

(Heat swimmers: Brad Woodward, Sam Williamson, Matt Temple and Kai Taylor).

Women's 4x100m Medley Relay - Kaylee McKeown, Abbey Harkin, Emma McKeown, Mollie O'Callaghan 3:53.27

(Heat swimmers: Madi Wilson, Abbey Harkin, Brianna Throssell and Meg Harris)

Bronze
Men's 1500m Freestyle - Sam Short (14:37.28)

Women's 400m Individual Medley - Jenna Forrester (4:32.30)

Images courtesy of Swimming Australia.

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