World Aquatics Championships 2025: Summer McIntosh takes gold in 400m freestyle in Singapore

Canada’s Summer McIntosh took gold in the women’s 400m freestyle event at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore as American Katie Ledecky finished with the bronze.

The event was seen as a battle between 18-year-old McIntosh – who has three Olympic gold medals – and 28-year-old nine-time Olympic champion Ledecky.

However, McIntosh led from the start to win in three minutes 56 seconds, with China’s Li Bingjie second and Ledecky 2.23secs behind the leader.

McIntosh has a chance to join Michael Phelps as the only swimmer to win five individual titles at a single world championships as she is also set to race in the 400m and 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly and 800m freestyle.

Speaking to Canadian broadcaster CBC, the teenager said: “It’s amazing, day one is probably my biggest day in the meet.