World Aquatics Championships 2025

The World Aquatics Championships 2025 became a milestone event as it was held for the first time in Southeast Asia — in the vibrant city of Singapore. The tournament gathered more than 2,400 athletes from over 200 countries, competing in six disciplines: swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, and water polo.

The competition took place from July 11 to August 3 at the Singapore Sports Hub. A temporary “World Aquatics Championships Arena” was built for swimming and artistic swimming, while the OCBC Aquatic Centre hosted diving and water polo events.

The theme of the championship, “Water Shapes Us,” reflected Singapore’s deep connection to water as a source of life and inspiration. Two mascots — Ollie the otter and Dewey the dugong — became the beloved symbols of the tournament.

One of the most remarkable highlights was the wider distribution of medals. While 29 nations earned medals at the previous championships, the record was surpassed in Singapore, showing the global growth and competitiveness of aquatic sports.

The U.S. team faced challenges due to a sudden viral illness that affected several swimmers. Despite this, the American stars demonstrated their strength, with Katie Ledecky once again confirming her status as one of the world’s greatest athletes.

The organization of the event was outstanding. More than half a million spectators attended competitions and fan zones, while thousands of volunteers played a crucial role in the success of the championships. The grand finale was marked by a world record in the women’s 4×100m medley relay, symbolically closing the event on the highest note.

A special place was given to the Masters competition, which welcomed around 6,000 participants from 100 countries. Athletes of different ages competed in the same venues as professionals, proving that sport is truly a universal language that unites generations.

Key takeaways from the 2025 Championships:

• A successful debut for Southeast Asia as host of a world-class aquatic event.
• Recognition of sport as a unifying force across nations and cultures.
• Inspiration for a new generation of athletes and fans worldwide.