The World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025 got underway last week, and competition has been in full swing. The water polo competition has reached the decisive stages, and medals have already been claimed in open water swimming.
Over 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in 77 medal events across six aquatic sports through the Championships.
From heartwarming family bonds to tactical insights and standout performances, the first week delivered memorable quotes that capture the spirit of the competition perfectly.
Here's a look at what athletes at the World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025 had to say during the first week!
Water Polo
Shakira JANUARY (RSA) – re. RSA v ESP (4-23) on 11 July
On how the team feels:
“It's not every day that you get to play the Olympic champions. We're happy with the result, we focused on (it) and we’re happy with the small wins and goals we set for ourselves. I mean, we just focused on hitting our small goals and we’re happy with the outcome.”
Miguel Angel OCA GAIA, head coach of CHN – re. USA v CHN (15-7) on 11 July
On how he keeps his players motivated:
“Well this is the world championships. If we aren’t motivated now, when will you be motivated, you know?”
Agnese COCCHIERE (ITA), captain – re. ITA v NZL (14-9) on 11 July
On the motivation of a win:
“I see the fire in the eyes of my girls, my teammates. We have to work a lot and we did well as a result.”
KOH Xiao Li (SGP) – re. SGP v AUS (2-34) on 11 July
On how the home crowd motivated her:
“The greater the cheer, the more energy we are able to contribute in the game. With their support, I think it’s very heartwarming to see the whole Singapore coming together and cheering for us.”
Max Irving (USA), captain – re. CAN V USA (9-18) on 12 July
On how his team played:
"We’re really excited for every game we get to play at these world championships, and we know that we have a really special group”
Zvonimir BUTIC (CRO) – re. CHN V CRO (6-25) on 12 July
“Everything in Singapore is great, the venue is perfect. We are very satisfied and we hope that our performance will match the high level of this tournament”
Krisztian MANHERCZ (HUN) – re. HUN V AUS (18-6) on 12 July
On what he wants to tell young Hungarian athletes and fans
“To start to play any sport. Of course, I would say water polo because I started playing when I was a kid and I love it. But, do your own thing and be brave to make mistakes”
Hannah WEPPELMAN (RSA) - re. GBR V RSA (12-3) on 13 July
On the match:
"It was pretty tough but at the end of the day, I think we came as a team and we really supported one another. We just kept playing and we didn't give up. That's the main thing here. We got some scores on the scoreboard."
Rebecca RIPPON, head coach of AUS re. AUS V ITA (19-15) on 13 July
On the growth of the sport
"The rules have changed a little bit also so it's creating a more creative game, a more exciting, attacking game so we've just got to keep adapting and building players that, I guess, fit into this game. In Paris, you saw how exciting women's water polo was...how the crowds were full and people got behind the sport and the level of the competition was one of the highest I've ever seen, so it's exciting to be part of it."
Ryder DODD (USA) – re. USA V BRA (16-7) on 14 July
On competing together with his brother Chase DODD (USA) at Singapore 2025:
"It is really special to share a game with someone you grew up with your entire life. He watched you do everything, he watched you grow up. It is really special to share this experience with him... It gets better every time we play together. Honestly, he is my biggest inspiration. Everything I do is because of him. I played water polo because of him. Anything I do with him is incredible."
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA), head coach of USA – re. ARG V USA (3-26) on 14 July
On his team's performance in group games:
"Very satisfied with how we played these first three games. I think the goal for us was just to play the best we could. The cherry on top was finishing first in the group but now a new tournament starts. We'll be excited to get that day off but we need to be ready to go for the quarterfinals."
Maria MYRIOKEFALITAKI (GRE), Player of the Match – re. GRE V JPN (25-15) on 15 July
On scoring seven goals:
"It was a team effort, this result. My teammates made these seven goals and I'm very glad that we had good communication and good connections. I'm very happy that we won this game and that we can proceed to the next level of the world championships. We're focused on our next game and we have high hopes that if things go as we think, to step into the final four teams of the worlds."
Open Water Swimming
Florian WELLBROCK (GER) – Gold in the Men’s 10km on 16 July
"It was tough today. I think it was the warmest waters that we’ve had to race in. We had one year to prepare for this. We did a lot of heat training and I think that was the key today to take the gold."
Moesha JOHNSON (AUS) – Gold in the Women’s 10km on 16 July
"It was really interesting yesterday. None of us coming into this were expecting any postponements, let alone two. Yesterday, I was quite calm, but today the nerves were definitely there. Having to wait until the afternoon was really, really tough, especially watching the temperature and the sun come out and get hotter. But hats off to the organisers for getting this done today."
Moesha JOHNSON (AUS) – Gold in the Women’s 10km on 16 July
"I was so confident in my training. I had a little bit of an ‘uh-oh’ moment with two laps to go, but I really backed myself in that. I really put myself out there to race internationally all year since the Olympics. The Olympics, I went in without that international experience, the whole time I was just trying to qualify. Since the Olympics, I’ve tried to embrace the opportunity, knowing that I’ve accomplished something amazing and I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t just want to win, I want to make sure I put myself up there with the GOATs of the sport."
Chantal LIEW (SGP) – 40th in the Women’s 10km on 16 July
"(Today's race) meant a lot. My last worlds, the last race I did the 5km and I didn't finish it. To be able to put my best foot forward today and race the way I did, I think I was 40th, I'm pretty happy with that performance, all things considered. And definitely feel like I've somewhat redeemed myself. Pretty sure I was the first Southeast Asian across the line, so that puts me in a good position leading into the SEA Games. So from here on out, just trying to take things day by day and refocusing for the 3km is the first priority."
Stay tuned for more throughout the Championships!