Summer McIntosh, the Canadian teenager coached by Brent Arckey, delivered the overall swim campaign of 2025, with four golds and a bronze in the race of the year at the World Championships in Singapore.

Every podium was a solo effort, two establishing championship records, one an Americas record - and all of that after June Canadian trials at which McIntosh set three World records, 1 World best and 5 Commonwealth records in as many days in Toronto.

If McIntosh tops the overall and women's top 3, our SOS picks are completed by outstanding doubles with an edge of pace and race that set hem apart: Katie Ledecky (800/1500 free) and Kaylee McKeown (100/200 back).

Overall

Summer McIntosh and Coach Arckey

• Coach: Brent Arckey - Sarasota Sharks, Florida ... with assistance from Vern Gambetta and Fred Vergnoux
• World Championships - Singapore 2025 - 4 gold, 1 bronze - 2 CRs, 1 AM

The last gold, with links to the rest of a glorious week for McIntosh, her entourage and Team Canada:

W400IM: McIntosh’s Record Margin Of Victory Lands Pioneering 4 Golds & A Bronze

“I think it was very obvious that my goal was five golds. Time just didn’t matter. I just wanted to get my hand on the wall first five times. I fell short ... but I think it’ll keep me hungry ... Even if I were to get five golds, I would still want more. That’s just my mentality.” - Summer McIntosh

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

And all of that was built from all of this at Canadian trials:

McIntosh’s Majestic 4:23.6 Medley Makes It 3 World Records, 1 World Best, 5 Commonwealth Crackers In Five Fantastic Days

“During the meet I don’t really like to think about it. I’ll celebrate and then kind of process it and focus on the next race. I know I can go faster. “ - Summer McIntosh.

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The context of a career destined for outer-orbit status:

Summer McIntosh’s High Five Of Solo World Targets The Next Pursuit Of Greatness

“World records are made to be broken. By the time I leave this sport, I want to make sure that record is as fast as possible. I’ve got to give my best effort to see how long it can stand.” - Summer McIntosh

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

Summer Sizzlers

2

Katie Ledecky and Coach Nesty

• Coach - Anthony Nesty - Florida Gators, Gainesville
• World Championships - Singapore 2025 - 2 gold, 1 bronze (1 relay silver) - 1 CR

Ledecky retained the 800m and 1500m free crowns yet again. The 800m battle delivered the race of the championships - and one of the greatest distance freestyle races in swimming history:

W800 Free - Empress Of Endurance Ledecky Leads The Greatest Women’s Distance Race In History To Triumph

Gold: 8:05.62 Katie Ledecky (USA); Silver: 8:05.98 Lani Pallister (AUS); Bronze: Summer McIntosh, 8:07.29. “I don’t feel like I have too much to lose ... just knowing what a fast field this was, I knew that if I put my best foot forward, I could be proud of the swim/the season that I’ve had.”

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The 1500m delivered a record sixth 1500m World title since Ledecky lifted her first one in 2013:

W1500Free: Ledecky Finds A Sixth Way Of Winning A World Crown To Remain Undefeated

Simona Quadarella’s magnificent 15:31 European record means that Katie Ledecky now “only” has the fastest 11 swims over 1500m freestyle, but the legends continues to grow with every passing victory over 30 lengths, the best of them likely swamp the all-time lists for many more championships to come

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

3

Kaylee McKeown and Coach Sage

• Coach - Michael Sage - USC (University of the Sunshine Coast) Spartans) - Queensland
• World Championships - Singapore 2025 - 2 gold (1 relay silver) - 2 CRs, 1 OC

The queen of backstroke, Kaylee McKeown is the only woman ever to claim the Olympic 100-200 double twice (2020one, 2024) to match the score of the only man who has ever achieved that Games quad, Roland Matthes. In World Championships waters, she's also the queen of doubles:

McKeown Is The Boss Of Backstroke & Doubles

“Something I’ve been really working on is focusing on my own race. I think it really helped me on the outside lane, not seeing the other girls around me, and just really focusing on what I’ve been working on.” - Kaylee McKeown

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

And the 100:

W100 Back: Backstroke’s Boxing Kangaroo McKeown Jabs Past Smith For 57.16 Champs-Record Gold

Regan Smith fought all the way to the wall, but she was racing against Kaylee McKeown travelling faster than she ever had: 57.16, multiple records down, the WR just 0.03sec away, silver to Smith in 57.35, USA teammate Katherine Berkoff third in 58.15, Canadian Kylie Masse fourth

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord