Day 4 Prelims at 2026 Pan Pacific Championships Highlight Record-Breaking Swims and Surprising Misses
U.S. swimmer Kate Douglass set a new world record in the women's 50m freestyle, while several top athletes missed finals due to the two-per-country rule.
U.S. swimmer Kate Douglass posted a 23.49 in the women's 50m freestyle prelims, establishing a new world record and positioning herself for a potential fourth record in the event. Fellow American Gretchen Walsh was second in 23.78, setting up a showdown in the evening final. In the women's 200m individual medley, Alex Walsh led the field with a season-best 2:08.57, followed by world-record holder Summer McIntosh at 2:09.34. Australian Ella Ramsay was the only other swimmer under 2:10, recording 2:09.69.
The men's 200m individual medley saw Australian William Petric top the prelims in 1:57.72, with Japanese swimmers Yumeki Kojima and Tomoyuki Matsushita close behind. Reigning world-championship silver medalist Shaine Casas missed the A final, finishing 12th with a 2:01.08. In the men's 50m freestyle, Australian Jamie Jack set a new Pan Pacific Championship record of 21.42, while Americans Quintin McCarty (21.56) and Jack Alexy (21.66) secured the U.S. spots in the A final.
Japan dominated the men's 200m breaststroke prelims, taking the three fastest lanes; Shin Ohashi led with 2:08.90, followed by Yamato Fukasawa and Ippei Watanabe. The United States claimed the next two qualifying spots with Josh Matheny (2:09.90) and AJ Pouch (2:10.01). In the women's 200m breaststroke, Japan's Kotomi Kato recorded a personal best of 2:23.38, while Kate Douglass advanced comfortably with 2:23.42, making her a strong contender for the title.
Among the distance events, New Zealand's Caitlin Deans posted the fastest time in the slower heats of the women's 800m freestyle (8:26.21). In the men's 1500m freestyle slower heats, Australia's Benjamin Goedemans led with 15:01.20, ahead of teammate Sam Short and Olympic champion Bobby Finke, who will compete in the fastest heat later.
The two-per-country rule affected several swimmers, including U.S. athletes Leah Hayes and Phoebe Bacon in the women's 200m IM and Japan's Asaki Nishikawa in the men's 200m IM, relegating them to B finals despite posting qualifying times.