Katie Kubiak, Leanne Smith Open Para Pan Pacs with World Records
Americans Katie Kubiak and Leanne Smith set World records on Night 1 of the Para Pan Pacific Championships.
Kubiak set three American records and a world mark to start the meet at Mt. San Antonio College. She went 1:16.10 in the S5 100 freestyle in prelims to down the American mark and was a touch slower at night in 1:16.36.
The 23-year-old from Wisconsin went 37.21 in prelims of the S5 50 butterfly, which destroyed the world record of Lu Dong set at the Paris Paralympics at 38.17. (Kubiak also holds the S4 50 fly record at 38.96.) Kubiak went 38.42 at night.
She also lowered the American mark in the 200 free to 2:48.03 in prelims and 2:43.86 in finals.
“Honestly, I’m just so overwhelmed in the best way possible,” Kubiak said. “I came in today knowing the schedule was going to be super tough, and I’ve been physically and mentally preparing for that for a few months. I was not expecting the world record today, and to break it was honestly incredible. It was a testament to all the effort that has gone into this season. So much has changed, and I’m just so happy to see it paying off.”
Smith went 1:26.17 in the S3 100 free to improve her world record. The two-time Paralympian had gone 1:26.76 at Nationals in Indianapolis in 2025.
“Breaking the record was a little bit of a surprise,” Smith said. “I’ve been building toward it over the past couple of meets, and this was my first time swimming outside, so the environment was definitely a challenge. Being able to work through that and still break my own world record was a huge relief. It gave me a lot more confidence going into the next two years to let things play out and not get too much inside my head as we approach the Games. I’m looking forward to the rest of the weekend, racing a little more and continuing toward LA.”
Both Smith and Kubiak received $10,000 bonuses funded by Stronger Than You Think, the foundation set up by Paralympian Ali Truwit. (Truwit is taking part in the meet, having finished third in the S10 100 free Friday.)
Two other American individual records went down on the opening day of the three-day meet. Piper Sadowski improved her mark in the S14 200 free to 2:21.59 via prelims. Lawrence Sapp did the same in the men’s version of the race, going 2:03.24 in the morning and 2:02.85 in the evening, though it was only seventh in a deep field.
The 49 points 400 mixed medley relay improved the American record to cap the night. Brad Snyder, back in the water after a multi-year break, joined Evan Wilkerson, Olivia Chambers and Grace Nuhfer to go 4:32.68.
Australia had a strong showing on the opening night. Chloe Osborn won the S7 100 free. Lakeisha Patterson keyed a podium sweep of the S9 100 free, her time of 1:03.22 just ahead of countrywoman Victoria Belando Nicholson. Madeleine McTernan was first among 10 swimmers in the S5 200 free in 2:10.71, with Ruby Storm second.
Australia also won the 34 points mixed medley relay.
On the men’s side, Callum Simpson won the S8 100 free, and Rowan Crothers’ time of 51.01 bested compatriot Tom Gallagher by a half-second.
Canada’s Aurelie Rivard was fastest in the S10 100 free in 1:00.70, one of four Canadian medalists. Danielle Dorris went 34.42 to win the S7 50 fly ahead of American Mallory Weggemann.
Brazil brought some of its top Paralympic swimmers to the competition. Talisson Glock won the S6 men’s 100 free, and Thomasz Rocha Matera won the S11 100 free. Lidi Vieira Da Cruz won the SM4 women’s 150 individual medley. Gabriel Araujo won the S2 men’s 200 free.
Gabriel Bandeira came out on top of the loaded S14 men’s 200 free field. His time of 1:53.21 was first among 13 swimmers. Canada’s Nick Bennett was second in 1:55.44, with Jack Ireland of Australia third.
Japan got a win from Eigo Tanaka, who won the men’s S5 50 fly in 33.02 seconds.
