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Johnson’s win, which she took over Ichika Kajimoto and first-time World Cup medallist Lisa Pou, marked more than just a clean sweep of the women’s events in Mexico. 

It also signifies a perfect record for the entire year of 2026 with wins in all individual World Cup events, a golden run at the Pan Pacific Open Water Championships as well as the German National Championships. 

Speaking on her incredible achievement - a feat which no other open water athlete has ever achieved - she said: “This win makes me undefeated in 2026. It’s pretty crazy, and I never came into this year expecting that.

“I don’t know if I, or anyone else will be able to do that again. Once I won yesterday, it made me want to go and complete the year like that.”

The sprint-lap was created by World Aquatics as an incentive for athletes competing on the circuit to be able to win additional bonuses ($1000) while they race. 

Across all five Open Water World Cup stops that have taken place in 2026, Johnson won every single sprint-lap in the 10km.

“The plan this year was just to make some money,” Johnson joked. “But that’s just turned into my new tactic now. 

“I’m grateful for the sprint lap because it’s challenged me in that way and it’s changed the athlete that I am and the race that we’re racing.” 

As she continues building momentum towards the World Championships in Budapest next year and the LA Olympic Games beyond that, Johnson had a message for fans of the sport. 

“I’m really grateful for everyone who is following along, everyone who is tuning into open water. 

“There’s so much more to come and people should really get behind our sport, get behind what we’re doing because we want to see this sport grow bigger and bigger beyond LA 2028.” 

Second Silver for Japanese Women

Ichika Kajimoto ensured Japan took home yet another silver medal following Airi Ebina’s success in the 10km on day one. 

As the defending World Champion in this event, Kajimoto now has a haul of five Open Water World Cup medals - all from the 3km Knockout Sprint event.

Speaking on her pedigree in this race, she said: “Of course, the 10km is my main goal, but I  use this event for improving her sense of competition.”

Remarkably, her younger sister Sachika Kajimoto recently won bronze in this event at the Junior Open Water World Championships.

“When my younger sister won the medal at the World Juniors, it was really inspirational for me,” she added.

The friendship and support between Kajimoto and Ebina - who also made the final in this event and finished sixth - was clear to see.

She spoke fondly of being able to share a podium finish with her, commenting: “It's really good for me to see my teammate win a medal.

“Having two medal winners actually increases the excitement and inspiration for the entire team. 

“One of my dreams was not only for herself but also for my teammate to win a medal. So the fact that we’re bringing two medals back to Japan is really nice.”

Pou Claims First Individual World Cup Medal

Monaco’s Lisa Pou is one of the most consistent performers on the open water circuit, and frequently features in the top five and top ten standings.

Surprisingly though, Pou had never won an individual Open Water Word Cup medal until today in Cancún. 

Her result was made more special by the fact that she was forced to withdraw from the 10km due to illness. 

“This is really surprising because yesterday I was feeling really bad. I had a really good night of sleep, but this is still surprising! 

“One thing that helped me were the waves, I really liked it - it was amazing and I really enjoyed the race.”

Although the LA Olympic Games are just under two years away, the elite open water athletes all have one eye on that milestone, including Pou.

The course in Cancún has been likened to what’s expected for the Games, meaning many of the athletes have relished the opportunity to practice in a similar environment. 

“LA is my head, it’s in everyone’s head. I think it was a little more than choppy today. Normally I’m really bad in choppy waves but today we got some bigger waves and I think that’s why I got the medal.”

Speaking on the significance of her medal win, the 27-year-old said: “This is just the journey and we learn at every step and every race is good to experience.

“I’m building little by little and hopefully one day I’m going to have a gold medal, not just for me but for everyone that supports me and my dad - who is my coach - as well.”

Bettina Fabian of Hungary and Lea Boy of Germany - who are frequent podium finishers in this event - touched just outside the medals in fourth and fifth place in what was a tightly-packed group finish. 

The Women’s 3km Knockout Sprint event closed the competition in Cancún, with attention now turning to the next stop in Somabay, Egypt on 19 and 20 March 2027.