Where to watch the 2023 World Aquatics Championships

Swimming 14 Jul 23

The World Aquatics Championships are back like they have never been away.

That is because there will have been just 376 days between the competition ending in Hungary last year and this year’s edition beginning in Fukuoka on 14 July.

In Japan, athletes will go for gold but will also hope to lay down an early marker ahead of Paris 2024, with several quota spots up for grabs.

What is the World Aquatics Championships?

The World Aquatics Championships sees the best swimmers, divers and water polo players compete for a place on the podium.

The event usually takes place every two years, but postponements because of Covid means Fukuoka 2023 is the second in a four-year stretch where a World Championships takes place every year.

British athletes will take part in artistic swimming, diving, open water swimming and swimming between 14 and 30 July.

We’re here! 💦🇬🇧🤩

Our divers, artistic swimmers and marathon swimmers have all arrived in Fukuoka ahead of the World Champs starting on Friday 🌍 🗓️ #Fukuoka2023 #UnitedByWater @WorldAquatics pic.twitter.com/u7RbD5oPG4
— British Swimming (@britishswimming) July 12, 2023

What is the Artistic Swimming?

Artistic swimming, previously known as Synchronised swimming, sees athletes perform to music, with plenty of personality injected into routines.

Great Britain will be represented in the women’s duet by Tokyo 2020 Olympians Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe, with entries in the mixed duet and women’s team as well.

Artistic swimming events will take place between 14 and 22 July.

Diving

At the same time as the artistic swimming is the diving, with 11 British athletes selected to compete at the Fukuoka Prefectural Pool.

The team, including reigning Olympic champion Matty Lee, comes laden with medals and experience, with eight members of the squad holding either European or Commonwealth titles from 2022.

The divers will compete across the 1m and 3m springboard and 10m platforms in the individual, synchronised and team events.

Remembering loved ones ❤@mattydiver is carrying his late father's memory close to heart at the upcoming World Championships
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 11, 2023

Open Water Swimming

A gruelling discipline, open water swimming requires stamina and endurance.

Three British swimmers will compete across the men’s and women’s 10km and 5km open water events at Seaside Momochi Beach Park.

Amber Keegan and Leah Crisp will go in the women’s 10km event on 15 July as they make their maiden appearance at a World Championships.

Swimming

A 29-strong team will take to the Marine Messe Fukuoka pool in the swimming.

The athletes have tuned up in Tokyo, with six Olympic champions returning to the country where they won gold in 2021.

The action gets underway on 23 July with 10 athletes making their World Championship debut, including young star Katie Shanahan.

One week until we get to do it all over again😍📅

The countdown is on to the World Aquatics Championships 2023🔜🇯🇵🇬🇧

Here's some photos from #Budapest2022 as the excitement builds...😆⌛️ pic.twitter.com/gcoeZJkAYa
— British Swimming (@britishswimming) July 7, 2023

Ones to Watch

Fresh off becoming the first British man to win a major medal in artistic swimming, Ranjou Tomblin will look to become the country’s first male World medallist in the discipline, when he competes in the mixed event alongside Beatrice Crass.

Ben Proud was the fastest swimmer in the world last year when he won the Men’s 50m Freestyle, also claiming European and Commonwealth honours, and he will be keen to defend his title in Japan.

Hector Pardoe is flying the flag in the men’s 10km open water event, the 22-year-old Tokyo Olympian finished 11th last time out in Budapest.

Since making her Olympic debut in Tokyo, has taken the diving world by storm, winning two golds at each of the European Championships and Commonwealth Games last year, but is yet to stand on top of the World podium.

Paris qualification

There are more than just medals on the line in Japan, with chances to secure Olympic quota spots for Paris 2024.

For swimming, the top three National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in relays earn a quota spot for next summer.

Marathon swimming trio @hector_pardoe, @amber_keegan & @leah_crisp are tuning up for the World Championships with some final training in Tokyo 🇯🇵📈🏊‍♀️

The Women's 10km event takes place on 15th July, with the Men's 10km race following on 16th July 📆 pic.twitter.com/gnz1vtwLKx
— British Swimming (@britishswimming) July 9, 2023

The top 12 finishers in the 3m and 10m individual events in diving each secure a quota spot with the top three teams in the men’s and women’s 3m and 10m synchronised events also obtaining a spot.

In open water swimming, the top three NOCs in the 10km events will also nail down a quota spot for next year’s Games, while the artistic swimmers will have to wait for their respective continental championships and the 2024 World Championships to secure a quota place.