France’s Ethan Parker and USA’s Brinkleigh Hansen scooped the last individual gold medals on offer in Santa Fe, storming to victory in what were two incredibly close races.
The race experience of Ethan Parker was on full display as he swam his way to his first World Junior title in the Men’s 3km Knockout Sprint event.
Parker narrowly missed out on the podium in the 10km, and explained that his win today felt like somewhat of a redemption race.
“I was hoping for that because the 10km was tough for me. I wanted redemption in this one and I couldn’t be happier to be first so I’m very happy.
“I wanted a better result in the 10km, but I’m happy I tried something new. It didn't work out in the end, but that’s okay. I think Juniors is where you can try something and after that change for Seniors, so I’m happy I did that.”
Parker made no mistakes today and paced the 3km race perfectly, finishing seventh in the first round before turning up the heat for the semifinal - where he finished second.
Speaking on his tactics, he said: “I wanted the 1500m to be really easy and controlled to get my aerobic system working.
“But in the 1000m, I wanted to be in first or second position so I could choose my place [on the pontoon]. And for the 500m, I really wanted to not think and just go all out.”
He did exactly that in the final; separating from the rest of the pack down the final straight to find his own water and ‘swim his own race’.
In the end, Parker touched 0.5 seconds ahead of silver medallist Vasileios Kakoulakis in what was an extremely close finish - with bronze medallist Mate Karpati following 0.2 seconds behind.
Kakoulakis Medals Despite Recent Illness
Vasileios Kakoulakis admitted he was somewhat surprised to find himself on the podium this week after suffering from two bouts of illness in the last month.
However, the Greek athlete has proven pedigree in this race as the silver medallist from the 2024 World Junior Open Water Championships and the more recent European Junior Open Water Championships in July.
He undoubtedly called on that experience today, and said after winning Greece’s first medal of this competition: “I’m really happy, I was coming here with no expectations because I was sick twice during the last month.
“I have raced in four big events also, so I wasn’t really expecting a medal. But I tried my best and I think it was a very good result.”
Mate Karpati Finds Podium Once Again
Hungary’s Mate Karpati has been in flying form these championships, winning the first medal on offer in the Men’s 10km (gold), and now securing a bronze in the last individual race of this meet.
Karpati was right at the front of the race from the beginning, touching in second behind eventual fourth-place finisher - Davide Grossi - in the first heat.
He led out the semifinal and looked comfortable at the front of the pack, clearly pushing the pace with plenty of white water amongst the field.
Having taken a different line than Parker into the finish funnel, it was 50/50 which line was going to prove to be the fastest until the first hand hit the touchpad.
Speaking on his performance, Karpati said: “I’m really happy, I got sick yesterday so I could feel it in the whole 3km race but I’m really happy how it turned out.
“Kakoulakis beat me by one tenth of a second so it’s a bit upsetting - my finish was a little bit slow.
“But I can’t be sad right now. I'm really happy that I could bring home a bronze medal from this event also.”
The top five was rounded out by Konstantinos Chourdakis of Greece, who finished fourth in the 7.5km swim on day two of competition.
Hansen Restates Open Water Dominance with Gold
Brinkleigh Hansen has long been one of the most promising young talents emerging in the sport of open water, and restated that dominance today with gold in the Women’s 3km Knockout.
Having won silver in the 7.5km on day two of competition - the same day her brother Sawyer won silver in the 5km - she ensured a piece of gold would make its way back to the Hansen household.
“I’m just so excited I could do this for Team USA,” she said after the race. “The amount that they stand behind me and support me and every athlete they have just means a lot so I’m glad I could do it for them.”
Becoming a World Junior Champion - for the second time no less - is already a significant occasion.
For Hansen, this week’s achievement is made even more special by the fact that it’s the first time her entire family have been able to watch her race internationally in person.
“Normally it’s either my mom or my dad,” she added.
“So having both of them over there just means a lot and I could definitely hear them on that final stretch and I’m so glad I could do this for them to see.”
It was a very dominant display from Hansen as she also won her heat and the semifinal before eventually winning gold.
Fractionally behind her was Kseniia Mirashina of Russia, who followed up her gold medal winning performance from the 7.5km with silver in this event.
Mirashina used her pool speed that was on full display in the 7.5km race to get herself on the podium once again.
A consistent effort from the youngster resulted in her finishing second in each of the three rounds. She races again in the Open Mixed 4x1500m Relay on the final day of competition.
Double Bronze for Kajimoto and Siegel
Sachika Kajimoto of Japan and Alex Siegel of the USA couldn’t be separated when it came to the battle for bronze, touching in exactly the same time of 5:21.0.
Kajimoto, who is the younger sister of reigning world champion in this event, Ichika Kajimoto, finished 20th in the 10km on the first day of competition.
Kajimoto explained that while that result was disappointing for her, she was happy to win her first international medal over the shorter distance.
“Actually, I was focused on the 10km, but it was a disappointing result. But I tried to stay positive and move forward confidently.
“After the semi-final, it was a bit uncertain if I could remain in 10th place. When I stayed in that position, my teammates cheered very loudly, especially at the entrance, and it really motivated me.
“I am truly grateful to the Japanese team. I believe that the final was thanks not just to my own power but to everyone’s combined effort.”
Kajimoto is clearly following in her sister’s footsteps, and touched on the support her sister has given her.
“During this period, we communicated daily, shared tips for racing in unfamiliar wetsuits, and supported each other mentally. Training together every day has helped us improve, and I think it was a very good experience.”
Sprint Format Favours Siegel’s Closing Speed
Remarkably, this race marked the first time that joint-bronze medallist, Alex Siegel, had ever raced the 3km Knockout Sprint event.
Having secured a seventh-place finish in the 10km, Siegel explained that she came into the race with an ‘open mind’.
“It was amazing, coming out here and representing my country is just always a different feeling.
“It was my first time doing this race and honestly I just came in with an open mind wanting to see what I have, and I just fought until the very end.
“I've been working on my speed a lot. I practice my closing speed, so to be able to come here and do it with the girl [Kajimoto] next to me, it was amazing.
“She really just pushed me and all the girls around me just pushed me to be the best version of myself today.”
Her bronze in Santa Fe marks Siegel’s first international medal, something which she credited to the staff and support of her nation.
“The support I have from USA Swimming is awesome. All the staff here, they really just do everything they can to support us, and I think without them, I wouldn't be here. It's just a different feeling representing the USA, it’s amazing.”
The fourth and final day of competition gets underway at 10:00am local time with the U16 Mixed 4x1500m Relay Event, followed by the Open equivalent at 11:30am.
You can keep up to do with the action via the live stream on the World Aquatics YouTube page.