The 2023 World Aquatics Championships is all set to take place in Fukuoka, Japan in less than a week. Swimmers from around the globe will congregate in the sixth-largest city in Japan and showcase their talent. In the United States, the Nationals took place recently, where, among other swimmers, Caeleb Dressel made his comeback after a year. Shaine Casas came 2nd in the 200-meter Individual Medley, and Katie Ledecky won the women’s 150-meter freestyle. These are a few of the American swimmers who will be on the lookout this summer in Fukuoka.
The World Aquatic Championship will take place from 14-30 July. It was originally scheduled for 2021, but owing to the postponement of the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19, it was rescheduled for 2022 to avoid any clashes. It was pushed back another year due to travel restrictions and safety measures in Japan. While Budapest held the 2022 edition, Fukuoka will be hosting the 2023 one. This will be the 2nd time the city will be hosting the World Aquatic Championships after first hosting it in 2021, nearly 22 years ago. Amidst the championship fervor, here are 7 swimmers from the USA who are on the lookout for making a big splash:
Katie Ledecky (Age 26)
She is not only one of America’s most decorated swimmers but also one of the swimming giants in the world. Besides her 15 World Championships victory, Ledecky has also won 7 Olympic gold medals and 3 silver medals. She is always a threat to any up-and-coming swimmer, be it in any competition. With more Olympic medals than any other swimmer in history, Ledecky is revered around the world.
With reverence comes immense respect and with that comes nervousness among fellow competitors. That’s the kind of aura Ledecky carries with her. At the US Nationals, Ledecky also won the 400m freestyle, and 800m freestyle, along with her 150m freestyle, and she will look to bring multiple medals from the World Championships.
Kate Douglass (Age 21)
Speaking of America’s brightest up-and-coming talents, Kate Douglass’s name comes up more often than not. The 21-year-old swimming sensation has created and broken her own records at the NCAA championships multiple times. She has been in dominating form for the past year itself. A bronze medalist in 200IM at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Douglass has also won multiple golds in other championships.
She participated in the US Nationals, where she came 3rd in 50m freestyle, 1st in 200m IM, 3rd in 100m butterfly, 2nd in 200m breaststroke, and 1st in 100m freestyle. She is definitely one of the toughest contenders to look out for at the Championships in Japan.
