Italian
Thomas Ceccon Claims Two Bronze Medals in Just 14 Minutes at World Cup Opener
CARMEL (USA) – Resilience and determination shine through, even when not in peak form. On the final day of the opening leg of the World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, Thomas Ceccon delivered two remarkable performances, securing two bronze medals in just 14 minutes.
In his first final of the day, Ceccon took third place in the 50m butterfly. A mere 14 minutes later, he was back in the pool for his signature event, the 100m backstroke—again finishing third.
Despite not being fully accustomed to short-course racing, the 25-year-old from Vicenza clocked his second-fastest time in the 50m butterfly over the past three years. His 22.36 effort was just 0.17 seconds off his personal best, earning him a place on the podium. Canadian Ilya Kharun won the event in 21.86, followed by Swiss world champion Noè Ponti in 21.90.
With hardly enough time to dry off and catch his breath, Ceccon returned for the 100m backstroke—an event in which he is the reigning Olympic champion and former world record holder in long course. Although not yet at his peak, Ceccon posted a solid 50.20, the fifth-best time of his career in short course.
Hungarian Hubert Kós took the win with an impressive 49.08, a time that also propelled him to the top of the overall World Cup standings with 58.4 points and a prize of $12,000. Poland’s Kacper Stokowski claimed silver in 49.92. Ceccon, with his double podium finish, earned 42.3 points and $4,800 in prize money.
The next stop on the tour will be in Westmont, Illinois, from October 17–19. There, Ceccon may have a shot at chasing the Italian short-course record of 49.04, set by Lorenzo Mora at the 2022 World Championships in Melbourne.
World Cup Format and Prize Money
The 2025 Swimming World Cup is held over three consecutive weekends, all in 25-meter pools, for a total of nine days of competition. The first leg took place in Carmel (Indiana), with the second in Westmont (Illinois), and the final round scheduled for Toronto (Canada).
The event features top international swimmers competing for a total prize pool of $1.2 million. Additional bonuses of $10,000 are awarded for any world record and for achieving a “crown”—winning the same event at all three stops.
Each swimmer’s final score for a leg is calculated by combining their top three individual performances, based on both placement and technical value (World Aquatics points). Separate rankings are compiled for men and women.
World Cup – Carmel (Final Day Highlights)
Sunday, October 12
Men’s 50m Butterfly
- Ilya Kharun (CAN) – 21.86
- Noè Ponti (SUI) – 21.90
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 22.36
Men’s 100m Backstroke
- Hubert Kós (HUN) – 49.08
- Kacper Stokowski (POL) – 49.92
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 50.20
Overall Men’s Standings & Prize Money
- Hubert Kós (HUN) – 58.4 points – $12,000
- Caspar Corbeau (NED) – 55.8 – $10,000
- Carson Foster (USA) – 55.4 – $8,000
- Thomas Ceccon (ITA) – 42.3 – $4,800
Overall Women’s Standings & Prize Money
- Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 59.1 points – $12,000
- Kate Douglass (USA) – 58.9 – $10,000
- Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 56.8 – $8,000
Photo credits: DBM/FIN
