Katie Kubiak had already proved herself at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships, but her Day 4 performance exceeded all expectations in Singapore.
The U.S. swimmer from Wisconsin broke the 50 backstroke S4 record – twice on Day 4.
Kubiak broke the world record twice in a single day, first lowering the mark to 44.13 in prelims before shaving off nearly two seconds to reset it again in the finals to clock in a win with 42.66. The rising star has broken three world records at the meet, medaled in every event she has contested and amassed a total of five podium appearances to date.
“Honestly, I’m just so proud of both of my swims,” Kubiak said. “It’s really a testament to the hard work that my coach, Jeff Rodriguez and I have been putting in this season. I’m really just happy to see it paying off in the postseason.”
“Forty-two tonight was my best time so super excited to see that on the board. The atmosphere in the arena and seeing my teammates cheer me on was the push I needed tonight. Having my debut in Singapore is so special and can’t wait to see what we have in story for the rest of the week.”
Paralympic champion Gia Pergolini returned to the top of the podium in the women’s 100 backstroke S13, reclaiming the world title she first won in 2022 in the same event that secured her back-to-back Paralympic golds.
“I’m in pain all over but you just got to keep pushing through it,” Pergolini said. “It’s really nice being back here after not going to Manchester [world championships]. Being back at worlds is so much fun seeing everyone and hearing my teammates cheer me on is always so special.”
“I might not feel great at warmup or may feel amazing but when I’m racing, I just let me body take over and go into autopilot. It always knows what to do.”
Eighteen-time Paralympic champion Jessica Long reached another milestone in Singapore, earning her 55th career world championship podium with a bronze medal in the women’s 100 freestyle S8. The result reflects Long’s remarkable longevity, building on a career that began with her first world championship in 2006.
“I think my younger self would just be so proud that I’m still doing this,” Long said. “This is unexpected, there were so many other things that took priority this year. It’s always an honor to represent Team USA and it’s really sweet to come home with a medal too.”
“It’s wild to think that I’m coming to the end of this race [of my career]. I never wanted to just be good, I’ve always wanted to be a legend in Para sport. I think my medals speak for themselves, but I also want to be known for changing the sport and making it better.”
With three Para championship medals already to her name in Singapore, Leanne Smith added a second individual silver in the women’s 50m backstroke S3. After battling injuries in recent years, Smith is thrilled to be back contesting events she’s been sidelined from in the past few international meets.
“Today was just about coming back to the pool as it’s a race I haven’t been able to compete in the last few years due to injury,” said Smith. “I’ve been working on it and just trying to come in, have fun and see what we can do. It’s important to take it year by year and stay grounded in the moment that we’re in.”
Mallory Weggemann edged out Julia Gaffney in the women’s 100 backstroke S7 to claim bronze and add to her career medal haul.
“I was really hopeful for what this competition could be,” said Weggemann. “I’ve been working really hard while doing it differently – putting the pieces together and learning to trust myself in the process. I was super hopeful to podium tonight, but going in with limited expectations so I can just have fun seeing where I’m at too.”
Para Swimming Day 4 Winners
- Men’s 100 Backstroke S13: Egor Bolotov, Uzbekistan
- Women’s 100 Backstroke S13: Gia Pergolini, USA
- Men’s 200 IM SM11: Danylo Chufarov, Ukraine
- Women’s 200 IM SM11: Daria Lukianenko
- Men’s 100 Free S8: Callum Simpson, Australia
- Women’s 100 Free S8: Alice Tai, Great Britain
- Men’s 400 Free S6: Antonio Fantin, Italy
- Women’s 400 Free S6: Jiang Yuyan, China
- Men’s 100 Breaststroke SB12: Timofei Guk
- Women’s 100 Breaststroke SB12: Mariia Latritskaia
- Men’s 200 Free S1: Anton Kol, Ukraine
- Men’s 50 Backstroke S3: Denys Ostapchenko, Ukraine
- Women’s 50 Backstroke S3: Ellie Challis, Great Britain
- Men’s 50 Backstroke S4: Roman Zhdanov
- Women’s 50 Backstroke S4: Katie Kubiak, USA
- Men’s 200 Free S2: Gabriel Dos Santos Araujo, Brazil
- Women’s 200 Free S2: Arjola Trimi, Italy
- Men’s Para 200 IM SM5: Guo Jincheng, China
- Women’s Para 200 IM SM5: He Shenggao, China
- Men’s 100 Backstroke S7: Andrii Trusov, Ukraine
- Women’s 100 Backstroke S7: Veronika Korzhova, Ukraine
- Men’s 100 Free S9: Simone Barlaam, Italy
- Women’s 100 Free S9: Alexa Leary, Australia
- Mixed 400 Medley Relay: Brazil
- Mixed 400 Free Relay: Great Britain
