Ahmed Jaouadi of Tunisia captured his first major title on Wednesday, winning the 800m freestyle at the World Swimming Championships in Singapore with a brilliantly timed surge.
The 20-year-old took the lead midway through the race and never looked back, clocking in at 7:36.88 — the third-fastest time in history. He finished ahead of Germany’s Sven Schwarz (7:39.96) and 400m freestyle champion Lukas Maertens (7:40.19).
“I wasn’t focused on strategy — I just tried to manage the race,” Jaouadi said. “When I saw the pace wasn’t fast, I made my move.”
Jaouadi, who narrowly missed a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics by placing fourth, dedicated his win to fellow Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui, the former Olympic and world champion currently serving a 21-month ban for anti-doping rule violations. “This win is for Hafnaoui — he’s going through a tough time,” Jaouadi said.
Olympic 1,500m champion Bobby Finke of the U.S. finished fourth (7:46.42), while Ireland’s Olympic gold medalist Daniel Wiffen came last in the final (7:58.56).
Australia’s Sam Short, the second-fastest qualifier, withdrew from the race hours before the final due to a stomach illness. Short had already won silver in the 400m freestyle earlier in the competition.
Illness has disrupted several swimmers in Singapore. The U.S. team reported widespread cases of acute gastroenteritis, and Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi also competed while unwell in the 100m breaststroke final.
