Australia’s golden generation in the pool is going nowhere. That much, at least, was clear in Singapore over the past week, as the Dolphins ended the 2025 world championships on eight gold medals, just one shy of perennial rivals the United States. With some swimmers only recently back in the water following a post-Olympics break – Ariarne Titmus participated from the commentary box rather than the pool – and a bout of food poisoning derailing some athletes, it was an impressive outing from the Dolphins.
Two swimmers were at the forefront, responsible in whole or in part for five of Australia’s eight gold medals – Mollie O’Callaghan and Kaylee McKeown. O’Callaghan, still only 21, went level with Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe on 11 world titles, thanks to two relay golds (the women’s 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle), and an individual title in the 200m freestyle, plus two silver medals.
