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The excitement of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup resonated in Toronto as Canadian swimmers Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun demonstrated exceptional talent. The event highlighted their achievements, with both athletes winning gold medals and setting new records in their categories.
On Friday, Liendo excelled in the men’s 100-metre freestyle, recording an impressive time of 45.30 seconds that broke the previous Canadian record set by Brent Hayden. This performance placed him ahead of American swimmers Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano, who finished with times of 45.55 and 45.71 seconds, respectively.
Liendo expressed his satisfaction during an interview, stating, “I was happy to get a good swim and just went out there and had fun.” His victory marked his third gold medal at this World Cup event.
Outstanding achievements by Ilya Kharun
Ilya Kharun’s performance was equally notable, winning the 200-metre butterfly event with a finishing time of 1:49.71. He outpaced Italian swimmer Alberto Razzetti and American Mitchell Schott, who finished in 1:51.63 and 1:52.10, respectively.
Kharun’s victory also earned him a $10,000 bonus for his success across all three stops of the World Cup circuit, an accomplishment he dubbed the Triple Crown. After his race, Kharun remarked, “It feels amazing. I wanted a faster time but I’m happy I got it done.”
A record-breaking performance
Just a day before his butterfly triumph, Liendo made headlines by setting a short-course world record in the men’s 100-metre butterfly with a time of 47.68 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 47.71 seconds held by Switzerland’s Noe Ponti.
Liendo’s enthusiasm was palpable when he expressed that he had not anticipated such a remarkable outcome. “I just thought I’d come in, have fun and race. Just to have that result is a cherry on top,” he said, reflecting on his race.
In addition to his gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle, Liendo secured first place in the 50-metre freestyle, further solidifying his dominance at the Toronto event. His achievements emphasize not only his individual skill but also Canada’s rising reputation in competitive swimming.
Other noteworthy performances
The event also showcased other talented Canadian athletes. Finlay Knox earned a bronze medal in the men’s 200-metre individual medley, finishing with a time of 1:51.50. He placed behind American Shaine Casas and Japan’s Tomoyuki Matsushita, who clocked in at 1:49.79 and 1:51.43, respectively.
Additionally, the swimming world cup featured new records, including a remarkable performance by Australian swimmer Mollie O’Callaghan, who set a world record in the women’s 200-metre freestyle with a time of 1:49.36. This event highlighted the competitive nature of the World Cup and the emergence of global talent.
Reflections on the event
Mary-Sophie Harvey, from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, also made headlines, securing a silver medal in the women’s 400-metre individual medley with a time of 4:24.25. She expressed her happiness with her personal best, stating, “I’m really happy with the time. I think it’s been very cool coming to Toronto in the last stop.”
The competition continues to reflect the skill and determination of swimmers from around the globe. The Toronto event not only highlighted the talents of Canadian swimmers but also set the stage for future competitions and potential records to be shattered.
