Singapore, July 21, 2025: Japan struck gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Saturday, July 19 when Ichika Kajimoto won the open water women’s 3km knockout sprint at Sentosa Island.
It was the first time this event had been contested at the world championships, giving Japan a moment to savour – and their first gold medal of Singapore 2025.
Kajimoto, 21, took gold in a time of 6 minutes, 19.90 seconds – two seconds faster than Italy’s Ginerva Taddeucci, who clocked 6:21.90.
Australia’s Moesha Johnson and Bettina Fabian of Hungary finished tied for third in 6:23.10, 3.20 seconds behind, and both swimmers were awarded a bronze medal.
A total of 56 women were separated in two heats to race 1500 meters with the top 10 advancing in each heat to race 1000 meters. The top 10 finishers from that heat competed in a winner-take-all 500-meter sprint.
Kajimoto commented: “I lost my cap during the race and I could not see my peripherals, but I just tried my hardest and fastest. It was a very good result.
“In Japan, open water is a lesser-known sport but this time I was able to achieve eighth place in the 10km, third place in the 5km and now champion in the 3km knockout.
“Now more people in Japan are aware of open water swimming. This is very important to both me and the Japanese swimming federation.”
(World Aquatics)