Chinese swimming team pose for a photo on the final day of the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 30, 2023. /CFP
The 2023 World Aquatics Championships came to a close in Fukuoka, Japan on Sunday night, with China topping the final medal tally with 20 gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals.
The Aussies finished second after bringing home 15 golds among a total of 30 medals to equal the country's largest haul, while the U.S. came third with seven golds, 22 silvers and 15 bronzes.
So, after 17 days of stirring performances, stunning upsets and incredible finishes, what have we learned from the showpiece event?
Quan Hongchan (L) and Chen Yuxi during the medal awarding ceremony for the women's synchronized 10m platform at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 19, 2023. /CFP
Chinese divers near clean sweep
In diving, China's all-conquering dream team continued their dominance, winning 12 of the 13 titles on offer. The in-form powerhouse won every diving gold in Budapest last year and looked to be on course for a repeat, but Australia's Cassiel Rousseau denied China a clean sweep when he stunned the Chinese duo of Lian Junjie and Yang Hao to clinch a dramatic gold in the men's 10m platform, the last diving event in Fukuoka.
"The men's 10m platform is undoubtedly the most challenging event in diving," reflected team leader Zhou Jihong after the setback. "With a great number of opponents and a negligible difference in skill level, the key to success lies in performing exceptionally under pressure.
"Our team has the potential to clinch the gold medal, and both Lian and Yang are equally talented. However, they couldn't let go of their nerves, leading to hesitant and indecisive movements, ultimately resulting in the loss of the title.
"To emerge victorious, they must cultivate greater mental strength, avoid being overly hasty in the high-pressure environment of major competitions, and maintain a stable mindset focused on winning gold."
In the women's events, Team China have a clear-cut edge. In the synchronized 10m platform, Olympic champions Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan effortlessly took home the gold, securing China's 12th straight world title in that event. In the women's individual 10m platform, Chen achieved her career-best score and cruised to final glory.
Qin Haiyang displays his medal haul at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 19, 2023. /CFP
Qin Haiyang bags historic treble
In Fukuoka, 10 world records were broken by swimmers, but it was Qin Haiyang who garnered the most headlines. The 24-year-old became the first swimmer of any gender, in any stroke, to win the 50m, 100m and 200m treble at a single world championships.
Qin also played a vital role in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final as he delivered a blistering second leg after taking over from Xu Jiayu to put China in control. Olympic champion Zhang Yufei and 18-year-old Cheng Yujie managed to maintain their lead as the Chinese team triumphed in this event at the World Championships for the first time.
At the last World Championships in Budapest, the Chinese swimming team managed to capture just one gold and four bronzes, with all of those accolades coming from the women's events. However, this year's tournament witnessed the meteoric rise of Qin, which propelled the Chinese team to capture five golds, three silvers and eight bronzes.
After his impressive display in Fukuoka, Qin would now be considered the favorite for Paris 2024, but he remains humble and calm. "When I finish a race, it means the end," he told reporters. "Everything starts at a new beginning. Those gold medals, they are hanging on my neck, and then they can hang on the wall. So when I take them off, it means a new beginning.
"I will have extra pressure, but every time I go into a new race, it's a new start, a new challenge, and that's why I think even though I have pressure on me, I am ready for a new future."
Michael Phelps (R) and gold medalist Leon Marchand celebrate during men's 400 meter individual medley award ceremony at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, July 23, 2023. /CFP
Michael Phelps' records shattered
It has been long since Michael Phelps retired but the American legend's name was continuously brought up in this year's World Championships.
French youngster Leon Marchand crushed Phelps' last remaining individual world record, taking the 400m individual medley on the first day of the tournament. Phelps held the original record since 2002, giving him the longest world record reign in any Olympic event since World War II.
"That was insane, one of the most painful things I've done. It was amazing to do it here and the time is crazy," said the 21-year-old, who is coached by Phelps' former mentor Bob Bowman. "The best is yet to come," added Marchand, who collected his medal at the victory ceremony from Phelps.
Another of Phelps' longstanding records fell on the final days of the tournament. U.S. superstar Katie Ledecky broke a tie with Phelps by winning a record 16th individual gold in the 800 freestyle. Then, Swedish Sarah Sjostrom won her 21st career medal in individual races in the World Championships, surpassing Phelps' 20 for the record with a victory in the women's 50m freestyle.
"I'm super-proud that I was able to handle the pressure," Sjostrom said. "I've done this many times now but it's a battle with emotions."
According to stats from the World Aquatics, the depth and performance have never been higher in swimming as 38 continental records, 14 championship records and 4 world junior records were also set in Fukuoka.
The next edition of the World Aquatics Championships will be hosted by Doha, Qatar in February 2024.