DOHA — Three new world title winners emerged in the finals of the World Aquatics Championships on Monday night.
Angelina Kohler of Germany, in her fourth appearance at the championships, claimed her maiden title in the women’s 100m butterfly event.
The 23-year-old clocked in at 56.28 seconds, shedding tears of joy during the award ceremony. Kohler has showcased exceptional form in Doha, with her personal best of 56.11 seconds in last night’s semifinals surpassing the gold-winning time set by Zhang Yufei of China at Fukuoka 2023.
America’s Claire Curzan secured the silver, trailing by 0.33 seconds, while Louise Hansson of Sweden clinched the bronze with a time of 56.94 seconds.
Meanwhile, America’s Nic Fink celebrated his inaugural victory in the men’s 100m breaststroke event. The 30-year-old completed the race in 58.57 seconds, with Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi earning the silver and Britain’s Olympic gold medalist Adam Peaty taking the bronze.
“This championship means a lot to me, and I’m thrilled to win it here,” said Fink,”I believe this achievement sets a perfect foundation for this summer’s Olympics.”
Portugal’s Diogo Matos Ribeiro, at just 19 years old, claimed gold in the men’s 50m butterfly, touching the wall at 22.97 seconds. Michael Andrew of the United States and Australia’s Cameron Mcevoy followed closely behind to clinch silver and bronze medals respectively.
In the women’s 200m medley, American swimmer Kate Douglass demonstrated her dominance once again, successfully defending her Fukuoka 2023 title.
Douglass finished in a time of 2 minutes and 7.05 seconds, leaving Canada’s Sydney Pickrem trailing by 1.51 seconds for the silver, while Yu Yiting of China secured the bronze in 2:9.01.