Unstoppable Kubiak Sets Two World Records, Pergolini Reclaims Backstroke Title on Day Four of World Championships

SINGAPORE – Katie Kubiak (Mequon, Wisconsin) continued her streak of brilliance on the fourth day of competition at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships with a gold medal and record-breaking performance in the women’s 50m backstroke S4. Kubiak broke the world record twice in a single day, first lowering the mark to :44.13 in prelims before shaving off nearly two seconds to reset it again in the finals to clock in a win with :42.66. The rising star has now broken three world records at the meet, medaled in every event she has contested and amassed a total of five podium appearances to date.

“Honestly, I’m just so proud of both of my swims,” said Kubiak. “It’s really a testament to the hard work that my coach, Jeff Rodriguez and I have been putting in this season. I’m really just happy to see it paying off in the postseason.”

“Forty-two tonight was my best time so super excited to see that on the board. The atmosphere in the arena and seeing my teammates cheer me on was the push I needed tonight. Having my debut in Singapore is so special and can’t wait to see what we have in store for the rest of the week.”

Paralympic champion Gia Pergolini (Atlanta, Georgia) returned to the top of the podium in the women’s 100m backstroke S13, reclaiming the world title she first won in 2022 in the same event that secured her back-to-back Paralympic golds.

“I’m in pain all over but you just got to keep pushing through it,” said Pergolini. “It’s really nice being back here after not going to Manchester [world championships]. Being back at worlds is so much fun, seeing everyone and hearing my teammates cheer me on is always so special.”

“I might not feel great at warmup or may feel amazing, but when I’m racing, I just let my body take over and go into autopilot. It always knows what to do.”

Eighteen-time Paralympic champion Jessica Long (Baltimore, Maryland) reached another milestone in Singapore, earning her 55th career world championship podium with a bronze medal in the women’s 100m freestyle S8. The result reflects Long’s remarkable longevity, building on a career that began with her first world championship in 2006.

“I think my younger self would just be so proud that I’m still doing this,” said Long. “This is unexpected. There were so many other things that took priority this year. It’s always an honor to represent Team USA and it’s really sweet to come home with a medal too.”

“It’s wild to think that I’m coming to the end of this race [of my career]. I never wanted to just be good; I’ve always wanted to be a legend in Para sport. I think my medals speak for themselves, but I also want to be known for changing the sport and making it better.”

With three world championship medals already to her name in Singapore, Leanne Smith (Salem, Massachusetts) added a second individual silver in the women’s 50m backstroke S3. After battling injuries in recent years, Smith is thrilled to be back contesting events she’s been sidelined from in the past few international meets.

“Today was just about coming back to the pool as it’s a race I haven’t been able to compete in the last few years due to injury,” said Smith. “I’ve been working on it and just trying to come in, have fun and see what we can do. It’s important to take it year by year and stay grounded in the moment that we’re in.”

In a tightly contested showdown between teammates, 2025 world champion Mallory Weggemann (Eagan, Minnesota) edged out Paralympian Julia Gaffney (Mayflower, Arkansas) in the women’s 100m backstroke S7 to claim bronze. Gaffney narrowly missed the podium, posting the fifth-fastest time in the world this year.

“I was really hopeful for what this competition could be,” said Weggemann. “I’ve been working really hard while doing it differently – putting the pieces together and learning to trust myself in the process. I was super hopeful to podium tonight, but going in with limited expectations so I can just have fun seeing where I’m at too.”

Paralympian Noah Jaffe (Carlsbad, California) picked up the fifth-best time in the men’s 100m freestyle S8. At the halfway mark of the 2025 world championships, the U.S. remains at fifth place on the medals table with a total of 20 medals (8 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze) earned to date.

The fifth day of competition resumes at 9 a.m. GMT+8 with preliminary heats before athletes return to the pool for finals beginning at 5:30 p.m. local time. A livestream is available to view at www.youtube.com/paralympics. For more information on U.S. Paralympics Swimming, visit usparaswimming.org.

Team USA Results: 

Katie Kubiak, gold, women’s 50m backstroke S4 and world record (x2)

Gia Pergolini, gold, women’s 100m backstroke S13

Leanne Smith, silver, women’s 50m backstroke S3

Jessica Long, bronze, women’s 100m freestyle S8

Mallory Weggemann, bronze, women’s 100m backstroke S7 

Julia Gaffney, 5th, women’s 100m backstroke S7

Noah Jaffe, 5th, men’s 100m freestyle S8