World Championships, Day 2 Prelims: Russia Return, Olympic Champs Bolster 100 Back Field
It’s been a while since the full men’s 100 backstroke field has been assembled, thanks to the exclusion of Russia from international competition since 2022. Monday’s preliminaries at the 2025 World Championships is a chance to see the country’s backstroke contingent in action again.
In Kliment Kolesnikov and world junior record holder Miron Liftintsev, the Neutral Athletes B team has two of the top four seeds in the men’s 100 back. It’s a loaded field, with Olympic champion Thomas Ceccon of Italy and 200 back Olympic champ Hubert Kos also entered, mounting a challenge for a younger contingent of American men.
The second day of prelims also brings a second event for Katie Ledecky in the 1,500 freestyle and a chance to see Regan Smith and Kaylee McKeown renew acquaintance in the women’s 100 backstroke. The five prelims events from the second day in Singapore:
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Women’s 100 backstroke
Regan Smith confidently stroked away from the final heat of six to set the fastest time in 58.20. Second was fellow American Katharine Berkoff in 58.55, .02 ahead of Kaylee McKeown of Australia, the three that comprised the podium at the Paris Olympics last summer.
All the expected names made it through without issue. China’s duo of Peng Xuwei and Wan Leitan are fourth and fifth, respectively. Roos Vanotterdijk continues an excellent summer by going 59.37 for seventh. Taylor Ruck and Kylie Masse are both safely in the semifinals representing Canada, as is Marrit Steenbergen in a tie for 11th with Carmen Weiler Sastre.
Men’s 100 backstroke
Women’s 100 breaststroke
Men’s 200 freestyle
Women’s 1,500 freestyle
