PHOTOS: Katie Ledecky, Ryan Murphy, Kate Douglass, and More Doll Up for Golden Goggle Awards 2023

The Golden Goggle Awards presented by the USA Swimming hails all swimmers whose performances come as stand out in the year. This year’s Golden Goggle Awards has vowed a different importance for being the last award show of its kind before the Olympics. However, the past winners’ list of this award has showcased some legends. Michael Phelps is one of them. The most decorated Olympian clinched the Male Athlete of the Year title 7 times. The record stood up to all challenges of time until 2022. In that year, the GOAT Katie Ledecky won her 8th title on the platform.?

However, this year?s 19th-anniversary edition has some names who made it big in the 2023 World Swimming Championship at Fukuoka. Let’s have a look at some special appearances.?

1) Katie Ledecky

The swimming legend posted some of her best this year. With a time of 8:07:07, the First Lady of the Freestyle has engraved her name in the annals of the 800m freestyle. The record steadied its foot in the third position in the history of the fastest time taken. Apart from this rare feat at the World Championship Trial, she won big in both 800m and 1500m freestyles in the event. This might be the reason for the legend to win her ninth Female Athlete of the Year.?

2) Ryan Murphy?

Being the only swimmer to win gold at Fukuoka has paid Ryan Murphy well. The 4-time gold medalist kept his records straight throughout the year. Apart from winning individual gold, Ryan helped his team to bag a gold in the medley relay in the World Championship as well. Also, he clocked some of his best timings this year. So, he was the obvious choice for the Male Athlete of the Year. However, this was his second Male Athlete of the Year title in the event. He won his first one back in the year 2018.?

3) Kate Douglass?

Katie Douglass came out as the joint winner of Female Athlete of the Year 2023 with Katie Ledecky. The 22-year-old swimmer outperformed some of the best this year. The Fukuoka World Championship of 2023 came as the latest witness to that. She clinched the top position in the 200m IM in the event. Except that, she bagged another 5 medals, including her individual silver in the 200m breaststroke. Previously, she took part in many divisions in the qualification round for the World Championship, clearing each one with a thumping time difference.

4) Bobby Finke

Bobby Finke has made a regular habit of being showcased on the accomplished board of the Golden Goggle Awards. The defending Olympic gold medalist won the award for Male Race of the Year. This is his third award in a trot at the same event. In the Fukuoka World Championship, he broke the national record of 1500m freestyle. In the 800m freestyle also, he broke his personal best. However, in both events, he couldn’t finish at the top position. So, it might pose a challenge for him before the 2024 Paris Olympics.?

5) Katie Grimes?

To win the Female Race of The Year title, the 17-year-old, Katie Grimes had to defeat Katie Ledecky and Kate Douglass. Among the crowds of the legends, her 10k Open Water Race in the Worlds stood at the top. However, her Fukuoka outings did not disappoint her fans. After bagging a photo finish, she won the Paris Olympics berth for herself there. Thus, Katie became the first swimmer from her country to secure that berth. Her timing in Fukuoka was not bad, as her clocking of 4:31.41 won her the silver medal in the 400m IM there.?

6) Jack Alexy

After a dismal 2022, Jack Alexy showed the most turnaround performances this year. In his performance list, the top position would be filled with his silver medal-winning performances in Fukuoka. In both 50m and 100m freestyles, Jack clinched the silver medals, clocking his personal bests. He secured first place in the 100m freestyle trials for the World Championship. This reversal of performance might have been the reason for winning him the Breakout Performer of the Year award.?

7) Lilly King

The Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay won the Relay Performance of the Year title in the Golden Goggle Award 2023. The team of Lilly King, Regan Smith, Kate Douglass, and Gretchen Walsh defeated their nearest opponent, Australia in Fukuoka. This was the US Women’s Relay Team’s consecutive gold win in the World Championship after clinching one in Budapest. However, defeating Australia in Fukuoka would boost the team before the Paris Olympics in 2024.?

Read more: Despite Opting Out of Swimming World Cup, Katie Ledecky Competes in a Different Race Against Americans 8 Months Before Paris Olympics

Apart from these names, Eddie Reese won his USA Swimming Impact Award at the main event. However, Kieran Smith had to return from the Golden Goggle Awards 2023 empty-handed. The 23-year-old swimmer’s performance in the Swimming World Cup this year did not seem to be alluring enough. As the winners would set sail for their latest encounters, this award might give them a special motivation.?

Watch this story:?Michael Phelps Throws Playful Jab At Big Papi With A Swimming Challenge: ‘How Much Of A Head Start…’