Hubert Kos, Kate Douglass Claim World Cup Titles After World-Record Exclamation Points
Hungarian Hubert Kos and American Kate Douglass were crowned overall champions of the 2025 World Cup circuit on Saturday night, their titles secured in stylish fashion. En route to prevailing in the three-week tour, Kos (100 backstroke) and Douglass (100 freestyle) punctuated the series with world-record performances.
Kos captured the men’s crown in dominant fashion, as he accumulated 175.8 points during the circuit, which enabled him to finish ahead of American Shaine Casas (171.2 points) and the Netherlands’ Caspar Corbeau (171.0 points). Kos went a perfect 9-for-9 in the backstroke events during World Cup action, and his visit to Toronto produced world records in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
Douglass’ title was much tighter and made possible by her world record in the 100 freestyle on Saturday night. By setting a global standard of 49.93, which made Douglass the first female to break the 50-second barrier in the event, Douglass finished the series with 177.5 points. That total narrowly edged the 177.3 points tallied by training partner and fellow University of Virginia product Gretchen Walsh. Third place in the standings went to Australian Kaylee McKeown with 173.3 points.
Men’s Rankings
Women’s Rankings
