World Series 2025: Leanne Smith and Gabriel Araujo deliver strong performances in USA

The Para Swimming World Series USA 2025 concluded with U.S. athletes asserting strong dominance across the three days of competition – alongside a Paralympic star from Brazil. 

Highlighted by standout performances from Paris 2024 champions Leanne Smith and Gabriel Araujo, the event showcased the depth and quality of Para swimming talent present at IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, USA.

USA’s two-time Paralympic champion Smith (S3/SB3) stood out as the top performer of the meet, winning five individual events and breaking three world records. She set new marks in the women’s 50m freestyle S3 (39.99), 100m freestyle S3 (1:26.76), and 200m freestyle S3 (3:09.65). 

Smith also claimed gold in the women’s 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. In both the women’s 100m and 200m freestyle events, the United States secured podium sweeps, with Katie Kubiak (S4) and Morgan Stickney (S7) joining Smith in the top three positions. Smith also led a one-two finish in the women’s 50m freestyle, alongside Gia Pergolini (S13).

“It’s something I didn’t expect, but switching up my training and taking a solid four months off from swimming was refreshing and much-needed,” Smith said. “These records are emotional for me, but they reinforce that you don’t have to be doing what the person next to you is doing, and that working within your limits is okay and it’s enough.”

Brazil’s five-time Paralympic champion Araujo (S2/SM2) was another key figure, winning four events: the men’s 100m freestyle, 150m individual medley, 50m butterfly, and 50m backstroke. His performances placed him as the leading male swimmer of the meet.

Araujo also added a silver medal in the men’s 200m freestyle behind Australia’s Darren Sisman (S14) and earned another silver in the men’s 50m freestyle, finishing behind Italy’s four-time Paralympic champion Simone Barlaam (S9).

More world records

Beyond Smith and Araújo’s individual success, athletes from the Americas repeatedly dominated the podiums. Katie Kubiak contributed significantly, not only securing podium finishes but also breaking two world records: the women’s 100m freestyle S4 with a time of 1:17.72 and the women’s 150m individual medley SM4 in 2:32.03.

“We came in with very low expectations. I just wanted to come in and have a good time. I’ve never been on a stage quite this big, so I really just wanted to come in and put up the best times I could. I’m really happy with the times I ended up swimming, especially with the schedule I had today,” Kubiak said.

🤳 🏊‍♂️ An underwater photo dump from Indianapolis is a great way to say ‘see you soon’ after three days of medals and world records smashed in the Para Swimming World Series USA 2025.

🔗 Check out the full results: https://t.co/Z5HmgW35qO

📸: Justin Casterline/USOPC pic.twitter.com/GXwlongzSv

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) April 27, 2025

Morgan Stickney (S7) secured gold in the women’s 400m freestyle, with Ahalya Lettenberger (S7) taking bronze. The women’s 100m backstroke saw Gia Pergolini (S13) claim gold, leading a double USA podium finish with Ellie Marks (S6) in third.

Other strong performances by host athletes included Morgan Ray (SB6)’s victory in the men’s 100m breaststroke, with teammate Aiden Stivers (SB9) taking silver. Olivia Chambers (SB13) won the women’s 100m breaststroke, and Julia Gaffney (SM7) claimed gold in the women’s 200m individual medley, ahead of Mallory Weggemann (SM7), who took silver.

While the United States led the overall medal table, international swimmers also delivered notable performances.

Italy’s Barlaam (S9) was victorious in the men’s 400m freestyle and 50m freestyle, reaffirming his reputation as one of the world’s top sprinters.

Australia’s contingent also enjoyed success, with Thomas Gallagher (S10) winning the men’s 100m backstroke, Darren Sisman (S14) taking gold in the men’s 200m freestyle, Emily Beecroft (S9) topping the women’s 100m butterfly, and Ricky Betar (SM14) winning the men’s 200m individual medley.

The full results of the Para Swimming World Series USA 2025 is available here.

Immediate boarding

After concluding the USA 2025, the Para Swimming World Series goes back straight to Europe where the sixth meet of the year takes place in Paris.

The world's best swimmers compete in France from 2 to 4 May (Friday to Sunday) marking the first World Series in the French capital and an important legacy of the 2024 Paralympic Games.

The full Para Swimming World Series 2025 calendar can be found here.