In the forthcoming 2023 World Aquatics Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan, the 9Network and 9Now will offer viewers exclusive, live and free coverage of the thrilling contests between some of the world’s best swimmers, divers, water polo players and artistic swimmers.
This week features competition in water polo, diving, marathon and artistic swimming, with the high-stakes swimming finals set to kick off on Sunday, July 23. Over the course of eight evenings, 9Network and 9Now will broadcast the finals in prime time from 9.00pm.
The opening night of coverage is headlined by the women’s 400m freestyle event, where Australia’s Ariarne Titmus will face off against American star Katie Ledecky and Canadian world record holder Summer McIntosh. Other leading Australian women in the water include Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, and Mollie O’Callaghan.
In the men’s field, spectators will be treated to competitions featuring the likes of Australia’s 200m breaststroke world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook, 100m freestyle Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers, 400m freestyle world champion Elijah Winnington, and Kai Taylor, the son of former world champion Hayley Lewis. Other notable contestants include Romania’s David Popovici, who is a strong rival for Chalmers in the 100m freestyle, and the Irish 1500m distance star Daniel Wiffen.
Notably, Australian Sam Short, 19, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, is one to watch as he will compete in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events. There are high hopes for his performance in the Paris Olympics.
Nine’s Wide World of Sports will bring together swimming legends Ian Thorpe, Giaan Rooney and Ellie Cole to provide expert commentary, alongside race caller Mat Thompson and host Nick McArdle.
Ian Thorpe said:
“Fukuoka is a very important place in the history of both World Aquatics and my own. I took part in my first international competition there as a 14-year-old and it was also the location where I was fortunate enough to be the first swimmer to win six gold medals at one World Championships and broke multiple world records.
“I look forward to seeing how the Australian swim team can perform against the rest of the world in their lead-up to next year’s Olympic Games.”
Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, emphasised the blend of established stars and emerging talent in the Australian Dolphins squad. He reassured viewers that Wide World of Sports would showcase the best in global aquatics across Nine’s platforms.
Coverage of the World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka will be available on the 9Network and 9Now until July 30. Every heat and every final will be covered daily.
Highlights include diving events featuring Rio bronze medallist Maddison Keeney; high diving with two-time world champion Rhiannan Iffland; water polo, where the Australian men’s team seeks redemption following an opening loss to Greece; and artistic swimming, where spots for the Paris Olympics will be determined.
All of these events can be streamed live and free on 9Now.
