Milliseconds Matter: Canadian Swimmers' Dramatic Finish in Singapore

Canadian Swimming Stars Separated by 0.02 Seconds at World Championships

In a dramatic finish at the Singapore World Championships, Canadian swimmers Ilya Kharun and Josh Liendo demonstrated how the smallest margins can define swimming excellence, with just 0.02 seconds separating bronze from fourth place in the 100-metre butterfly.

Kharun secured the bronze medal behind France's Maxime Grousset and Switzerland's Noe Ponti, adding to his previous bronze from Paris. Meanwhile, Liendo, who claimed silver in Paris, found himself agonizingly close to the podium in fourth place.

Tale of Two Competitors

"I'm so happy," expressed Kharun after his victory. "After all I've been through, winning this medal feels well deserved." The 19-year-old's journey at the world championships has been a rollercoaster, including narrow misses in both the 50 fly and 200 fly events.

The contrasting personalities of the two Canadian stars were evident pool-side - Kharun's boxer-like entrance with raised hood versus Liendo's friendly wave to spectators. Despite their differences, their rivalry has significantly elevated Canadian swimming.

Health Challenges and Determination

Liendo's performance came despite significant health challenges. The 22-year-old had battled illness around the Canadian trials, affecting his preparation for the world championships in Singapore.

"I wasn't able to do kind of (typical meet) for trials," Liendo revealed. "I just couldn't really get better. I was kind of stuck in a hole."

Looking Forward

Despite the challenges, both swimmers represent the bright future of Canadian swimming in an era dominated by Summer McIntosh. Their performances in Singapore have highlighted Canada's growing strength in international swimming competitions.