World record holder Regan Smith was fastest in the women's 100 metres backstroke preliminaries at the world championships in Singapore on Monday as the American laid down an early marker in her upcoming battle with Australia's Kaylee McKeown.

Katie Ledecky was able to compete, renewing her rivalry with Canada's Summer McIntosh in the 400 freestyle. McIntosh comfortably won the final in 3:56.26, with Ledecky finishing third at 3:58.49. Neither Ledecky nor McIntosh swam near their best times from earlier in the year.

In a race about seconds, it was the years which showed. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer ever, and McIntosh, an 18-year-old Canadian quickly rising up the all-time ranks, are expected to face off in the most anticipated race of worlds — the 800m freestyle final on Aug. 2, the penultimate day of the eight-day competition.

Summer McIntosh claimed the women's 400m freestyle world title at the Singapore meet, defeating Katie Ledecky. Meanwhile, Lukas Maertens won the men's 400m final. Additionally, Gretchen Walsh topped the women's 100m butterfly qualifying.

Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh obliterated her rivals to win the world 400m women's freestyle gold on Sunday, with American great Katie Ledecky third. The 18-year-old McIntosh romped home in 3min 56.26sec, nearly two seconds clear of China's ...

Teenage swimming sensation Summer McIntosh launched her world championships with a packed programme and will go head-to-head later Sunday with Katie Ledecky as they renew their Paris Olympics rivalry. The 18-year-old Canadian McIntosh and American great ...

The United States team at the swimming world championships in Singapore is battling a case of “acute gastroenteritis” that compromised performances on the opening day of eight days of competition in the pool.