Canadian swimmer Ilya Kharun captured his second gold medal in as many days at the World Cup finale in Toronto with a thrilling win in the men’s 50-metre butterfly final on Saturday.
Montreal’s Kharun, who also won Friday’s 200m butterfly, clocked a time of 21.80 seconds to narrowly beat Switzerland’s Noe Ponti by one one-hundredth of a second. Toronto’s Josh Liendo finished just behind them for bronze in 21.91.
The 20-year-old Kharun earned $10,000 US for winning the 50m butterfly at all three stops of the World Cup tour, something he also accomplished in the 200m fly.
WATCH | Kharun takes gold, Liendo bronze in 50m butterfly:
Montreal’s Ilya Kharun finishes first in the men’s 50-metre butterfly final at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2025 stop in Toronto with a time of 21.80.Toronto’s Josh Liendo places third to capture the bronze medal.
He took silver behind Liendo in the 100m butterfly on Thursday, which saw Liendo break Ponti’s short-course world record in 47.68.
Kharun, whose parents spent most of their lives performing with Cirque du Soleil, racked up a total of eight medals, including five golds, at the first two meets in Indianapolis and Chicago.
WATCH | Kharun reflects on 50m butterfly victory:
Montreal’s Ilya Kharun discusses finishing first in the men’s 50-metre butterfly final at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2025 stop in Toronto.
Pallister breaks Ledecky’s short-course WR
Australia’s Lani Pallister opened the final night of racing with a bang, smashing Katie Ledecky’s short-course world record in the women’s 800m freestyle.
Pallister, the reigning world champion in the distance, clocked a time of 7:54 — over three seconds faster than Ledecky’s mark of 7:57.42 from the 2022 World Cup in Indianapolis.
The 23-year-old was well ahead of world-record pace throughout the race, finishing ahead of New Zealanders Erika Fairweather (8:09.69) and Caitlin Deans (8:11.76).
Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey was fourth in 8:15.52.
WATCH | Pallister smashes world record in 800m free:
Australia’s Lani Pallister wins the women’s 800m freestyle event with a short-course world record of 7:54.00 at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2025 stop in Toronto. Mary-Sophie Harvey of Trois-Rivieres, Que., just misses the podium with a fourth-place result.
