The 22-year-old breaks two national marks and makes history as the first Singaporean woman in a WCH final since 2007.
Singapore’s Gan Ching Hwee continued her remarkable rise in distance swimming, breaking two national records and qualifying for the women’s 1,500m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) on July 28, 2025.
Breaking Records in Style
Gan clocked 16:01.29 in the heats, shattering her national record of 16:10.13 set at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her 800m split of 8:29.93 also broke the national 800m freestyle record, marking her third record in just two days.
Historic Qualification
The 22-year-old finished third in her heat and fourth overall, advancing to the 1,500m final as the fastest Asian swimmer. This milestone makes her the first Singaporean woman to qualify for a World Aquatics Championships final since Tao Li in 2007.
Competing Among the World’s Best
Gan’s heat placed her alongside elite swimmers, including defending champion Simona Quadarella of Italy and Australia’s Lani Pallister. American legend Katie Ledecky topped the heats with 15:36.68. Gan also outpaced top competitors like France’s Anastasiia Kirpichnikova and Germany’s Isabel Gose, both Olympic medalists.
A Rising Star Fueled by Motivation
Reflecting on her performance, Gan said: “After how close I came in Paris, that gave me a lot of motivation going into this race. I gave it my absolute all.” She added that racing against world-class athletes pushes her to close the gap and continually improve.
Support and Coaching Behind Success
National coach Gary Tan praised Gan’s dedication and credited her family, club coach Eugene Chia, and consultant Sonya Porter for her progress. Chia noted that the team has long targeted Asian Games medals, Olympic appearances, and WCH finals: “She tactically executes our race plans perfectly and has shown she can be up there with the finest.”
Looking Ahead to the Final
Gan remains focused on the upcoming final, avoiding pressure from expectations. “I just want to do my best and work on the small details that were lacking from the heats,” she said. The final will take place on July 29, with Singapore fans eager to witness history.
Gan Ching Hwee’s record-breaking swims at the World Aquatics Championships not only cement her as Singapore’s top distance swimmer but also position her as a serious contender for future Asian Games and Olympic medals. Her success inspires a new era for Singapore swimming on the global stage.
Sources: The Straits Times (2025), CNA (2025)
Keywords: Gan Ching Hwee Records, World Aquatics Championships, Singapore Swimming Final, 1500m Freestyle, National Records
