SINGAPORE — A must-see race at the world swimming championship lived up to its billing.
Canada's Summer McIntosh emerged with a bronze medal after a three-way duel from start to finish in the women's 800-metre freestyle Saturday in Singapore.
The Toronto teenager, Olympic champion Katie Ledecky of the United States and Lani Pallister of Australia battled from the blocks to the wall with Ledecky claiming her seventh world title in the distance.
McIntosh, seeking a fourth-straight gold medal in Singapore, ran second to the American star before making her move at the final turn for a brief lead after 700 metres.
But Ledecky surged and delivered the knockout punch over the final 50 with Pallister closing fast behind her.
Ledecky touched the wall in eight minutes, 5.62 seconds with Pallister less than four-tenths of a second behind. McIntosh ran out of gas and touched the wall 1.67 seconds after Ledecky.
McIntosh will come up short in her goal of five gold medals in her five individual events.
However, the 18-year-old is the favourite and world-record holder in the women's 400-metre individual medley on Sunday's last day of competition.
McIntosh became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single world championship with victories in the 400 freestyle, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley.
Montreal's Ilya Kharun took bronze in the men's 100-metre butterfly Saturday to give Canada eight medals at the world aquatics championships — seven in swimming and one in diving.
The 20-year-old Kharun, who was an Olympic bronze medallist last year in Paris, posted a time of 50.07 seconds.
Maxime Grousset of France was the winner in 49.62 ahead of silver medallist Noe Ponti of Switzerland in 49.83.
Toronto's Josh Liendo was fourth in 50.09. Taylor Ruck of Kelowna, B.C., placed sixth in the women's 50-metre freestyle.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2025.
The Canadian Press
