As Australia Continues to Dominate Worlds, 25-Year-Old Swimming Prodigy, Who Placed Above the Record Holder, Restores Faith With a Five-Word Message

In the 2023 World Championship, 43 gold medals were up for grabs. And with a staunch team including Mollie O’ Callaghan and Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby, Australia has dominated the championship by securing 10 medals. Followed by team China, who has been able to bag five gold medals. While last year’s champion team the USA is trailing behind with only three golds in the event.

Despite being short on gold medals, the team has clapped back with a response. On Saturday, 25-year-old swimmer Justin Ress told the media that the US squad is doing well as a team. Currently, the squad has won the most silver medals by grabbing 13 of them at the championship.

Justin Ress speaks up on team performance

On July 29, swimmer Justin Ress confirmed that there is no pressure among the USA team. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, the 25-year-old swimmer restored the faith of the fans in the USA squad by stating just 5 words, “swimming really well as a team.” Later, while talking about Australia’s performance, the athlete added, “You can’t control what other teams are doing. Australia is lighting up; it is what it is. We’re just doing the best we can, and that’s all you can do—have fun.”

Currently, the 29-year-old Russ is the fastest swimmer in the 50-meter backstroke event at Worlds with a time of 24.15, surpassing US Olympian Hunter Armstrong (24.49) and Greek swimmer Apostolos Christou (24.48). While talking about his own performance, he revealed he’s just focusing on himself: “That’s what I’ve been doing for the past year, and it’s been pretty good, so I’m just going to keep doing that.”

Till now, only American star Katie Ledecky in the women’s 1500m freestyle, Kate Douglas in the 200m individual, and Ryan Murphy in the men’s 100m backstroke have secured gold for Team USA. On July 29, legendary record-breaker Katie will also be participating in the800-meter freestyle.

Katie Ledecky maintains the US team’s stats at the Worlds Swimming Championship

Last year, the US team outperformed every swimming team in the championship; the country won 17 golds and 45 medals, with Katie Ledecky grabbing four golds consecutively in Budapest waters. This year, however, the swimmer could not secure more than one gold but maintained to keep Team USA’s performance intact. The 26-year-old created history by breaking the legendary Michael Phelps time record in the 1500 m freestyle where she also scored her first gold of the event. The athlete will now be competing for another gold in the 800-meter freestyle. And although the swimmer will face tough competition from Australian star Mollie O’ Callaghan, Ledecky has maintained the stats of the US swim team this year.

Also read:7 Years After Michael Phelps’ Historic Rio Olympics Win, Swimming World Witnesses a Similar Marvel at World Championships 2023

Statistically, the team Australia outclassed the USA by miles this season. But the US squad is continuing to maintain its team efforts and continuing to put in its best. Hopefully today Katie will be able to add another gold to their list.

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