Summer McIntosh v. Katie Ledecky: A Generation Duel Defining World Championships | Swimming

fOr for the first time in over a decade, Katie Ledecky may not be the most feared swimmer in the pool. The current honor belongs to McIntosh in the summerthe Canadian teenager hopes to do what only Michael Phelps does in front of her: Win five separate gold medals at the Single World Swimming Championships.

Their clash in the 800m freestyle on August 2 will be the decisive moment for Singapore’s week-long gathering. Ledecky, The most decorated female swimmer in historyShe has been in the unprecedented seventh world championship since 2013, which has been catching up with her all the distance. McIntosh Only the swimmer beat her 800m in the past 15 years.

They now share over lane lines. McIntosh grew up with Ledecky’s offer on her bedroom wall. Now, she is ready to challenge her idol and even erode her. “Katy always brings me the best,” McIntosh said. “That’s why I never play nervously.”

McIntosh arrives in Singapore in historic form, with a world record breaking in 400m individual medley, 200m im and 400m freestyle In the dizzying five-day span In the Canadian national trial in June. Her 3:54.18 in the 400m free erasure, Ariarne Titmus set the marks for her former world standards and marked her coronation. Although she holds the fastest time in the world in four games, she is not the official top seed for the 400m or 800m freestyle, both led by Ledecky. Her 8:05.07 is the third fastest in history in 800m, second only to the Americans swimming twice.

They will meet on the penultimate day of the game, which makes the showdown even more dramatic. By then, McIntosh may have seized three or four golds. But 800m is Ledecky’s fortress. In the words of Greg Meehan, the US team director, this is the “gold standard”.

McIntosh said she chose to add $800 million this year because it presents its biggest challenge. She will need every ounce of endurance, especially 14 or 15 games expected in eight days, thanks to relay races and fast turnarounds, such as Sunday’s 400m freestyle final, followed by 30 minutes later, the 200m IM semi-final. “It’s a very challenging timeline she set for herself,” said Canadian head coach Iain McDonald. “But she thrives on the challenge.”

In the 800m start list, it is worth noting that Paris Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus In 400m freestylewho is on vacation. In that match, McIntosh won the silver medal and Ledecky claimed the bronze medal. However, Ledecky won the gold medal in the 800m in Paris Continue her historical rule If so. The game offers a reordering of the long distance hierarchy and may be a watershed in the sport’s history. McIntosh’s victory will not only bring Ledecky into her home Olympics in 2028 Los Angeles, but also show true generations.

However, Ledkey remains a tough force. In May, she rewrites her 90-year-old world record. Clock 8:04.12 in Florida. While McIntosh’s plan is more difficult, Ledecky’s concentrated schedule may allow her to save energy from large conflicts.

Even if Mcintosh is underranked in the 800 million mm, she is still an overwhelming favorite for Medley events and the 200m butterfly. Her versatility makes it hard to even say her best activity. If she finishes the sweep, she will join Phelps as the only swimmer to win five solo gold medals in a world.

However, McIntosh is not the only child prodigy that attracts Singapore. Yu Zidi of Chinaall 12-year-olds will rank in 200m and 400m IM and 200m flights. Her qualifying time will put her fourth in every match at the Paris Olympics. Yu is already 15 seconds older than McIntosh. “There’s always someone coming next,” McDonald’s said. “That’s the essence of the sport.”

In the men’s event, everyone’s eyes will be focused on France’s Léon Marchand, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and no longer shocked the ladéfense arena a year ago when offering a “perfect” home game. His coach, Bob Bowmanurging a more simplified approach to Singapore: Marchand abandoned 200m flights and 200m breaststroke, focusing on 200m and 400m im, and the possibility of relays appear.

Marchand is expected to defend his world championship and may even challenge Ryan Lochte’s long-standing 1:54.00 world record in the 200m IM. “I hope he can do what he can, not what he could do last summer,” Bowman said. After a brief Olympics, Markand returned to Austin’s Bowman program. Whether he can call the same glory in Singapore from 2028 will be one of the core issues of the game.

The sprinter dominated the rest of the men’s program. China’s Pan Zhanle is a start to win Olympic Gold in Paris and will defend his 100 million free championship. Romanian David Popovici, who held world records before Pan’s rise, will be the biggest contender for free of 100m and 200m. Daniel Wiffen of Ireland is the dominant world champion in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle, and is also aiming. The 22-year-old took a record of 7:32.12 in Zhang Lin’s super Soviet-style era, a mark that many people think is unshakable. “I believe all world records will be broken,” Wifen said recently. “And I’m willing to push myself into this limit.”

Duncan Scott of England, an eight-time Olympic medalist, simplified his plan to pursue this elusive individual world champion. “This is what I’ve done now, so I’m going to put all the eggs in one basket,” he said of the 200m im, and he will face Marchand again.

Scott also anchored the British man’s 4x200m freestyle relay to defend the Olympic champion. Quartet – Scott, Matt Richards, Tom Dean and James Guy – now seeking their first world champion together.

Elsewhere, American star Gretchen Walsh hopes to convert Her short trip success Long-standing dominance, Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan has faced a serious threat in the sprint freestyle.

The new 4,800-seat arena at Singapore Sports Hub is a suitable stage for the post-Olympic reset. Nearly 30 countries are expected to win medals, which is a testament to the growing global depth of swimming. But for all newcomers and ethnic aspirations, the definition’s narrative may still boil down to two swimmers. “Maybe summer is the one who wants to challenge that,” McIntosh’s coach Fred Vergnoux said of her decision to take over Ledkee’s decision as an 800m. “She accepted the challenge early on for these worlds. But I think she’s ready.”