On the Bucket List: Which Swimmers are Ranked No. 1, but Still Chasing a World Title?
Many of the swimmers at the top of the current world rankings have never won a gold medal at the World Championships – at least in the event which they lead. Will that scenario change in Singapore? Will they back up their world-leading time with a global title? If so, they’ll add another bullet point to the resume.
- Summer McIntosh is the Olympic champion and the world-record holder in the 200 individual medley, but a world title is missing, albeit for good reason. The Canadian has never contested this event at Worlds, but in Singapore wants to add this title in her collection. At the same time, she has not yet won gold in the 400 freestyle at Worlds or the Olympics. Ariarne Titmus or Katie Ledecky have always finished in front, but this time she will face only the American. Meanwhile, McIntosh is in tremendous form, having broken the world record at Trials with a time of 3:54.18.
- An Olympic champion who has never been crowned a world champion is Lukas Martens. The German, after winning gold last summer in Paris and setting a world record this year in the 400 freestyle, is hoping to expand his success. He’s the only swimmer to go sub-3:40 in the 400 freestyle and that missing gold medal might soon belong in his trophy case.
- It seems the appropriate time for Gretchen Walsh to earn her first individual world title in long course. She was amazing in short course during the winter and she confirmed her long-course excellence by clocking extraordinary times at the U.S. Trials: 54.60 in the 100 butterfly; 23.91 in the 50 freestyle; and 24.66 in the 50 butterfly. Walsh has an opportunity to solidify her standing as one of the sport’s greatest in Singapore, with multiple trips to the podium expected.
- After not being allowed to compete because of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Kliment Kolesnikov is back in international action, and he is hungry for fast races. Until a couple of days ago, the Russian was the fastest in the world in both 50 and 100 backstroke but after Peter Coetze’s 51.99 in 100, he is now only the No1 in 50 with 23.90. His performances are really encouraging but he must show again that his ready for his first world title because in Sette Coli he wasn’t ready to race the rest top backstrokers.
- Estonia’s Eneli Jefimova is one of the top breaststrokers in the world and winning gold in the 50 breaststroke would be a major accomplishment. The 18-year-old hails from a country of 1.37 million people and Estonia has never won a title at the World Champs.
- Shaine Casas is the fastest swimmer this year in the 200 individual medley, but his mission to win gold might be too difficult. While he has been 1:55.73 in the 200 IM this year, he’ll need to be much quicker to capture gold. Frenchman and Olympic champ Leon Marchand hasn’t shown his full hand in 2025. He won gold at Worlds in 2022 and 2023 and Marchand is the heavy favorite to prevail.
2025 Top-Ranked Swimmers Without World Title in Event
Men
Lukas Martens (GER) – 400 freestyle – 3:39.96
Sven Schwarz (GER) – 800 freestyle – 7:38.12
Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 50 backstroke – 23.90
Pieter Coetze (RSA) – 100 backstroke – 51.99
Jack Aikins (USA) – 200 backstroke – 1:54.25
Ludovico Viberti (ITA) – 50 breaststroke – 26.27
Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 50 butterfly – 22.68
Luca Urlando (USA) – 200 butterfly – 1:52.37
Shaine Casas (USA) – 200 medley – 1:55.73
Women
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 50 freestyle – 23.91
Torri Huske (USA) – 100 freestyle – 53.42
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 400 freestyle – 3:54.18
Katharine Berkoff (USA) – 50 backstroke – 26.97
Eneli Jefimova (EST) – 50 breaststroke – 29.83
Angharad Evans (GBR) – 100 breaststroke – 1:05.37
Evgeniia Chikunova (RUS) – 200 breaststroke – 2:20.36
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 50 butterfly – 24.66
Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 100 butterfly – 54.60
Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 200 medley – 2:05.70
