Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun clinched his second consecutive gold medal at the World Cup finale in Toronto by triumphing in the men’s 50-meter butterfly final on Saturday. The Montreal native, who had also claimed victory in the 200m butterfly the previous day, finished in 21.80 seconds, narrowly surpassing Switzerland’s Noe Ponti, the current short-course world record holder, by just one one-hundredth of a second. Toronto’s Josh Liendo secured the bronze medal with a personal best time of 21.91.
Expressing his elation, Kharun stated, “It means a whole lot. You know, I knew it was going to be very close, and I’m just so happy I got it done. I’m just speechless. I saw Ponti’s splashes on the second 25, and I knew it was going to come down to me or him, and I was just hoping that I got it. And you know what, I did.”
The 20-year-old swimmer accumulated $10,000 US for his victory in the 50m butterfly at all three World Cup stops, mirroring his success in the 200m fly. Kharun’s outstanding performances contributed significantly to Canada’s success in the World Cup, where he garnered 12 podium finishes out of the country’s 25, including seven wins across the tour stops in Carmel, Ind., Westmont, Ill., and Toronto. His achievements placed him fifth in the Toronto men’s standings and fourth in the overall men’s rankings, resulting in total earnings of $54,500.
During the Toronto event, Kharun claimed bronze in the 50m freestyle and silver in the 100m butterfly, showcasing his versatility and skill in multiple events. Reflecting on his competitive rivalry with Liendo at the Pan Am Sports Centre, known as “Canada’s fastest pool,” Kharun commended his teammate’s exceptional performances, emphasizing the enjoyable and memorable moments they shared in front of their home fans.
On the other hand, Liendo, who secured three gold medals in Toronto, finished ninth in the overall standings, earning a total of $25,000 in prize money. The 23-year-old athlete broke Ponti’s world record in the 100m butterfly, clocking a remarkable time of 47.68. Liendo expressed his satisfaction with his performance, highlighting his unexpected success and determination to continue excelling throughout the season.
The friendly rivalry between Kharun and Liendo was evident as Liendo graciously placed the winner’s crown on Kharun’s head during the post-race ceremony, symbolizing their camaraderie and mutual respect as national team members. The duo’s camaraderie and competitive spirit added an exciting dynamic to their performances and contributed to the overall excitement of the event.
In a spectacular display of talent, Australia’s Lani Pallister shattered Katie Ledecky’s world record in the women’s 800m freestyle, clocking a remarkable time of 7:54. This achievement marked one of five world records broken during the final night of racing, highlighting the exceptional level of competition and skill on display at the World Cup finale in Toronto.
