Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, a four-time Olympic champion and world record holder, announced her retirement at age 25, citing health issues and a desire to pursue goals outside of swimming, after a highly successful career including multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.
Leon Marchand of France broke Michael Phelps' last remaining individual world record in the 400m individual medley at the world swimming championships, while Australian Ariarne Titmus won the 400m freestyle, breaking the world record and defeating Katie Ledecky. Marchand, who trains under Phelps' coach Bob Bowman, clocked 4:02.50, surpassing Phelps' record of 4:03.84 set in 2008. Titmus won with a time of 3:55.38, beating Ledecky and Summer McIntosh. Australia dominated the competition, winning four out of five finals.
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus breaks the women's 400-meter freestyle world record at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, finishing in 3 minutes, 55.38 seconds. American Katie Ledecky takes silver, and Erika Fairweather of New Zealand wins bronze.
Katie Ledecky is set to compete in the highly anticipated 400m freestyle final at the world swimming championships, which will feature a showdown between Ledecky, Ariarne Titmus, and Summer McIntosh. This race marks the first time in a major championship final since 2012 that the last three world record holders in one Olympic program event will meet. The race is reminiscent of the iconic "Race of the Century" in the 2004 Olympics, where Michael Phelps competed against the four fastest men in history. Ledecky, who is one title away from tying Phelps' record, remains calm and excited for the race, while McIntosh and Titmus are eager to challenge Ledecky and potentially break the world record.
American freestyler Katie Ledecky, known for her dominance in the Olympics and world championships, faces tough competition from 16-year-old Summer McIntosh of Canada and 22-year-old Ariarne Titmus of Australia in the women's 400-meter freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan. Ledecky, who excels in the 800 and 1,500, is aiming to win her first gold in the 400, while McIntosh and Titmus have both held the world record in the event. Ledecky can also make history by winning her sixth world title in the 800.