Kylie Masse misses world podium, finishing 4th in women's 100m backstroke
Aussie Kaylee McKeown claims world title in a championship record 57.53 seconds
For the first time in four world championships, Canada's Kylie Masse failed to reach the podium in the women's 100-metre backstroke.
The 2017 and 2019 world champion finished fourth in 59.09 seconds on Tuesday in Fukuoka, Japan.
Australian Kaylee McKeown won the gold medal in a world-championship record time of 57.53. Two Americans completed the podium as Regan Smith touched the wall in 57.78 for a silver medal, while Katharine Berkoff earned bronze in 58.25.
Calgary swimmer Ingrid Wilm was fifth in 59.31.
Masse, from LaSalle, Ont., was attempting to become only the second Canadian swimmer to win a medal in fourth consecutive world championships, which would've matched swimming great Ryan Cochrane.
WATCH | Masse places 4th in 100m backstroke:
She will be competing in Wednesday's 50 backstroke event and likely some relay events later this week.
The live stream will be available at CBCSports.ca, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.
The 27-year-old Masse had the leaders in sight with 50 metres to go, but she couldn't catch Berkoff for bronze.
It's been a tough season for Masse with her preparation as she dealt with visa problems in a move to Spain. But she still has hopes for better results at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"A little bit disappointed." Masse told CBC Sports reporter Devin Heroux. "I know I'm capable of a lot more than [59.09]. The 100 didn't come together this season. Now the next year is the big one [Olympic Games].
McKeown, the Olympic champion, won her first world title in the 100 backstroke.
WATCH: McKeown captures gold:
She was disqualified earlier in the 200 medley for a violation on the backstroke leg, infuriating her and her team.
"If you're not learning you're not growing," she said. "So I had to find a positive in a negative and that's what I did. I channelled it and I managed to make it work. Being up against the Americans, they bring out the best."
McIntosh qualifies for women's 200m freestyle
Summer McIntosh continues to show she's over the disappointment of missing the podium in the 400m freestyle on Sunday.
She rebounded to qualify for Wednesday's women's 200 freestyle final (7:17 a.m. ET), winning her semifinal heat in one minute 54.67 seconds.
"I'm happy," the 16-year-old Toronto athlete said. "The semifinals are probably the most stressful part of any swimmer's meet because 50 per cent of people don't make it back.
"You always have to stay on your toes to make sure that you're pushing just enough but not overdoing it so you're not too tired for the final."
Mary-Sophie Harvey of Trois-Rivieres, Que., was 19th in the 200 free prelims in 1:58.60.
WATCH | McIntosh into women's 200m freestyle final:
Another Canadian qualified for a final on Wednesday morning (7:53 a.m. ET).
Ilya Kharun, from Montreal, placed third overall in the semifinals of the men's 200m butterfly.
The 18-year-old lowered his Canadian record to 1:54.28, behind leader American Carson Foster (1:53.85) and French swimmer Leon Marchand (1:54.21). Kharun's previous best was 1:54.49 from last year.
WATCH | Kharun makes Canadian swimming history in Japan:
"It was really a bit painful in the final 50 but it felt really good," Kharun, making his worlds debut, told Swimming Canada. "I liked that race. I'm just happy that I dropped my best time.
"It's definitely going to be a very tough field in the final. I'm just going to have to hang in there for the top 3."
In water polo, Croatia beat the Canadian men 13-5 in the 9-12 classification round.
Ledecky ties Phelps with 15th individual world gold
Katie Ledecky won the 1,500-meter freestyle with ease on Tuesday in a landmark victory which made her the most decorated female swimmer at the worlds with 20 gold overall, 15 of which have come in individual events.
That ties Michael Phelps's record at the worlds for individual gold medals.
She won Tuesday in 15 minutes 26.27 seconds, the third quickest time of her career.
"The last couple of years I've just tried to be really locked in on my stroke," Ledecky said, improving quickly post-pandemic. "That was a really good performance from me — very pleased."
Italy's Simona Quadarella finished 17 seconds behind Ledecky in 15:43.31, with Li Bingjie of China third in 15:45.71.
Ledecky will compete in the 800 on Saturday, her favourite race, and is set to become the only person to win six titles at the worlds in the same event.
WATCH | Full coverage of Tuesday's events from Fukuoka:
'Open category' to be added for transgender swimmers
Swimming will set up an "open category" that will include transgender competitors, the governing body of the sport said Tuesday.
World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam said the event would take place in the future among other races but gave no details. Reports suggest it could be this year.
"This is a very complex topic," Al-Musallam said at the World Aquatics Congress in the southwestern Japanese city of Fukuoka. "But I am delighted to tell you today that we are now making plans for the first trial of an open category, and we hope to be able to confirm all the details soon.
"Our sport must be open to everybody," he said.
World Aquatics had previously banned transgender competitors from major events like the Olympics and world championships.
The topic has been divisive and many governing bodies in major sports have avoided it. And there will be many questions to answer as the first trial event unfolds under the eyes of lawyers and scientists.
"It was very important that we protected fair competition for our female athletes," Al-Musallam said. "But you have heard me say many times there should be no discrimination. Nobody should be excluded from our competitions."
With files from Reuters and The Associated Press
