DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Hunter Armstrong, the talented American swimmer, capped off the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar with an impressive performance on the closing day, seizing two more medals to add to his collection. Armstrong first earned a silver in the men’s 50 backstroke before clinching the gold in the men's 4x100 medley relay alongside his United States teammates Nic Fink, Zach Harting, and Matt King. The United States team triumphed in 3 minutes 29.80 seconds, showcasing their teamwork and dominance in the pool.
Armstrong, who swam the first leg in the relay, commended his teammates and emphasized the pride they take in their medley relay performances. The Ohio native had already tasted success earlier in the championships, claiming gold medals in the mixed 4x100 medley relay and the men’s 100 backstroke.
Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand added a unique celebration to his victory in the men’s 400 medley event by doing an imitation of the New Zealand rugby team's Haka dance in the pool, delighting the audience with his spirited display. British swimmer Freya Colbert secured the women's 400 medley title in 4:37.14, outpacing Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko and Italy’s Sara Franceschi.
Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania continued her dominance in the women's 50 breaststroke with a historic third consecutive win. Her compelling battle with China's Tang Qianting, the women's 100 breaststroke champion, thrilled the spectators. Sweden's Sarah Sjoestroem successfully defended her title, narrowly missing breaking her own world record in the women's 50 freestyle.
In the men’s events, Daniel Wiffen of Ireland impressed with a commanding performance in the 1,500 freestyle, setting a personal best time and leaving his competitors trailing by a significant margin. Isaac Cooper of Australia claimed victory in the men’s 50 backstroke, narrowly edging out the defending champion Hunter Armstrong. Australia's success continued with a win in the women’s 4x100 medley relay.
China topped the medal count with 33 total medals, including an impressive 23 golds, while the United States followed closely behind with 9 golds among their 23-medal haul. Australia secured third place overall with 24 medals, although with fewer golds compared to the top two countries.
This year's World Aquatics Championships marked a significant moment in history as it coincided with the upcoming Paris Olympics, set to commence in July. The Aspire Dome in Doha witnessed a display of exceptional talent and sportsmanship from athletes around the world, setting the stage for exciting aquatic competitions in the future. Fans and competitors alike eagerly anticipate the continuation of this thrilling journey in international swimming.
