World Aquatics Championships on Nine – Australia’s swimmers will take on the best in the world on the road to Paris 2024 in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, exclusive, live and free on the 9Network and 9Now from Fukuoka in Japan.
With competition this week in water polo, diving, marathon and artistic swimming on 9Now, the action really heats up from Sunday, July 23, when the fastest fish dive into the pool for the finals, which will be broadcast in prime time from 9.00pm over eight nights.
The opening night of coverage features the box-office women’s 400m freestyle event with Australia’s Ariarne Titmus against American superstar Katie Ledecky and Canadian world record holder Summer McIntosh in a mouthwatering race.
Australia has the fastest females in the world, with Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Ariarne Titmus and Mollie O’Callaghan all set to star in Fukuoka.
The men’s field will include our 200m breaststroke world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook, 100m freestyle Olympic gold medallist Kyle Chalmers, 400m freestyle reigning world champion Elijah Winnington, and the son of former world champion Hayley Lewis, Kai Taylor.
Shaping up to our best men are Chalmers’ 100m freestyle rival, Romania’s David Popovici, and Irish 1500m distance sensation Daniel Wiffen.
Also in action is Aussie young gun and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sam Short, 19, who will contest the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events and is tipped to be one of the stars of the Paris Olympics.
In commentary for Nine’s Wide World of Sports will be swimming legends Ian Thorpe, Giaan Rooney and Ellie Cole, joined by 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.”
Paralympic swimming legend Ellie Cole spoke of her excitement at joining Thorpe and Rooney.
“It’s an honour to be on the legendary Nine Wide World of Sports Commentary team for the World Aquatics Championships and bring the excitement, passion and love for our sport to viewers around the world,” she said.
Brent Williams, Nine’s Director of Sport, said:
“The Australian Dolphins squad already comprises a host of household names and superstars, but the emerging talent is just as exciting. Wide World of Sports will be showcasing these champions taking on the very best in the world across Nine’s broadcast platforms.
“This is the biggest event on the aquatics calendar in 2023 and our experts Ian Thorpe, Giaan Rooney and Ellie Cole will cover every race. Whether you are a fan of swimming, diving, water polo or artistic swimming, you can catch all the action live and free, anytime or anywhere on 9Now.”
The 2023 World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka will be available to watch exclusive, live and free on the 9Network and 9Now until July 30.
Fans will receive coverage of every heat and every final every day.
WHERE TO WATCH: WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS FUKUOKA ON NINE
Diving until July 22 – Streamed on 9Now
Quota positions for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are up for grabs in the diving, with Rio bronze medallist Maddison Keeney headlining a 10-strong Australian team.
High Diving from July 25-27 – Streamed on 9Now
Two-time world champion Rhiannan Iffland will be in action in the women’s 20m high dive. Iffland has won the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series for the last six years and is unbeaten at the midpoint of the 2023 season.
Water Polo until July 29 – Streamed on 9Now
In the water polo, the Aussie men’s team will be hoping to bounce back from a loss to Greece in the opening match when the Sharks play the USA on Wednesday.
Artistic Swimming until July 22 – Streamed on 9Now
Australia will compete in Tuesday night’s final of the mixed team technical event, while on Thursday spots for Paris go on the line in the team free routine.
Marathon Swimming until July 20 – Streamed on 9Now
Swimming – Broadcast on 9Network and 9Now
WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS FUKUOKA – WATCH ON THE 9NETWORK, STREAM ON 9NOW. LIVE AND FREE UNTIL JULY 30
Media Release – Nine
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