Clareburt sets PB for fifth in 200m IM final

Lewis Clareburt swam his best for fifth in the 200m IM final at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore PHOTO: WORLD AQUATICS

New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt has swum the best 200m Individual Medley of his career, to finish fifth at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singarpore.

Swimming in lane 7, Clareburt faced a tough assignment after Olympic champion Leon Marchand set a world record of 1:52.69s in last night’s semifinal.

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Undeterred, Clareburt built his race in the final, powering home over the last 50 metres to touch the wall in 1:56.07s, recording his fastest time ever and setting a new national record.

Clareburt, 26 finished behind France’s Marchand who took gold in 1:53.68s, the second fastest time ever raced in the discipline. The USA’s Shaine Casas took silver and Hungary’s Hubert Cos bronze.

Clareburt will return to the competition pool for his favoured event, the 400m Individual Medley on Sunday.