World Aquatics Championships 2023: Kate Douglass edges Alex Walsh as USA cap one-two in women's 200m IM

Kate Douglass overtook defending champion Alex Walsh just before the wall to win the women's 200m individual medley at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan, on Monday (24 July).

And Douglass knew all long that it was going to be close, between her and her University of Virginia team-mate Walsh, for USA swimming's first gold medal of the meet.

"It was a huge honour for me to do it tonight," said Douglass, who touched the wall in 2 minutes, 7.17 seconds in dethroning her compatriot, who came home in 2:07.97.

"I kind of knew going into the race, it was going to be Alex or me on top for the U.S. - at least that’s what we were hoping for.

"It was awesome to be able to stand on the podium with Alex."

Yu Yiting took bronze (2:08.74) for the People's Republic of China's third medal of the evening.

Walsh led from the start through the final turn before Douglass came on strong late, swimming the last 50 almost two seconds faster than the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist from lane 7.

For Douglass, it was her first world title. 

“I’m really happy with that race. I really just wanted to get the gold for Team USA tonight and I’m so happy I did that,” she said.

“This year I tried to conserve a little bit more energy in the prelims and semis and I think I did a great job with that, and I was ready to race tonight."

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