On July 28, 2025, American male swimmers made a strong showing at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, participating in the preliminary heats and semifinals of the men’s 100 m backstroke and 200 m freestyle. The competition, which brings together the world’s elite aquatic athletes, offered a glimpse into the depth and potential of Team USA as it continues to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Championships and the next Olympic cycle.
In the men’s 100 m backstroke, the American team was notably without two of its biggest stars. Ryan Murphy, a former Olympic gold medalist and world champion, did not travel to Singapore, and Hunter Armstrong, another top American backstroker, was also absent. Their absence opened the field to international rivals, including Italy’s Thomas Ceccon, who holds the world record in the event, and China’s Xu Jiayu, a former world and Olympic medalist. Both swimmers advanced confidently to the final, underscoring their continued dominance in backstroke.
While the U.S. presence in the 100 m backstroke was subdued, the 200 m freestyle delivered far more encouraging results for the American contingent. Romania’s David Popovici, the reigning European champion and world record threat, entered the meet as the top seed with a season-best of 1:43.13. Close behind was the United States’ Luke Hobson, who posted a personal best of 1:43.73 earlier this year, positioning him as a legitimate medal contender. Gabriel Jett, another rising U.S. freestyle talent, also qualified for the semifinals with an impressive entry time of 1:44.70, adding further American firepower to the field.
In the semifinals, Hobson solidified his status as a front-runner by clocking the fastest time at 1:44.80, edging out South Korea’s Hwang Sun-woo, who touched in at 1:44.84. Popovici maintained a strong pace and advanced comfortably to the final with a time of 1:45.02. Gabriel Jett narrowly secured the final spot in the eight-man final by finishing in 1:45.60, showcasing the strength of the American squad in a tightly contested race.
The performances marked a promising shift for U.S. men’s freestyle swimming, which has been rebuilding depth in middle-distance events since the retirement of legends like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Analysts noted that Hobson’s steady progression and Jett’s versatility suggest a bright future for Team USA, especially as both swimmers are still in their early twenties and appear to be entering their competitive primes.
Despite the absence of top American backstrokers in the 100 m event, the U.S. coaching staff remains optimistic. With Murphy and Armstrong likely to return for future international meets, including the 2026 Worlds and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, the program’s depth remains intact. The emergence of younger athletes in the freestyle events, meanwhile, provides a fresh competitive edge that complements the country’s traditionally strong relay capabilities.
The finals for both the 100 m backstroke and 200 m freestyle are set for July 29, 2025, and U.S. hopes remain high. With Hobson leading the field in the 200 m freestyle and Jett joining him in the medal race, Team USA has a realistic shot at podium finishes in one of swimming’s most iconic events. In the backstroke final, American fans will be watching closely to see how the global competition unfolds in the absence of their usual frontrunners.
As the meet progresses, the U.S. team’s blend of veteran experience and emerging talent will continue to be tested in what is shaping up to be one of the fastest and most competitive World Aquatics Championships in recent memory. Whether in the pool or on the podium, American swimmers are demonstrating that they remain a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.