On Path to LA28, an Event-By-Event Look at the Leading 18-and-Under Swimmers (Women’s Edition)
The impending 2026 season will offer a handful of international competitions, but none where the best in the sport gather in a one location. Instead, it will be a year of comparisons from results recorded at the European Championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific Championships. Come 2027, however, the next edition of the World Championships will be conducted, and the countdown to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will be a focal point.
As LA28 approaches, we’ll gain greater clarity concerning the leading medal contenders. For now, and following our men’s edition, here is a look at the 18-and-under females who ranked in the top-20 in the world during the 2025 season.
50 Freestyle
10. Sara Curtis (Italy) – 24.41
13. Eva Okaro (Great Britain) – 24.48
18. Annam Olasewere (United States) – 24.62
100 Freestyle
5. Rylee Erisman (United States) – 52.79
9. Sara Curtis (Italy) – 53.01
200 Freestyle
3. Claire Weinstein (United States) – 1:54.67
19. Yang Peiqi (China) – 1:56.25
400 Freestyle
5. Claire Weinstein (United States) – 4:00.05
6. Yang Peiqi (China) – 4:02.53
14. Yan Tiaoshan (China) – 4:05.80
17. Sofia Diakova (Russia) – 4:06.50
19. Kennedi Dobson (United States) – 4:06.66
800 Freestyle
7. Claire Weinstein (United States) – 8:19.67
10. Yang Peiqi (China) – 8:22.93
11. Chung Wing Yee (Hong Kong) – 8:23.94
12. Sofia Diakova (Russia) – 8:24.93
16. Agostina Hein (Argentina) – 8:26.19
20. Kseniia Misharina (Russia) – 8:28.69
1500 Freestyle
9. Claire Weinstein (United States) – 16:01.96
11. Kseniia Misharina (Russia) – 16:04.21
12. Yang Peiqi (China) – 16:04.93
15. Mao Yihan (China) – 16:09.87
16. Amelie Blocksidge (Great Britain) – 16:10.23
20. Emma Giannelli (Italy) – 16:13.11
50 Backstroke
None
100 Backstroke
17. Charlotte Crush (United States) – 59.21
200 Backstroke
8. Audrey Derivaux (United States) – 2:06.99
9. Charlotte Crush (United States) – 2:07.05
14. Estella Tonrath (Spain) – 2:08.03
50 Breaststroke
2. Eneli Jefimova (Estonia) – 29.83
30. Sienna Toohey (Australia) – 30.58
100 Breaststroke
7. Eneli Jefimova (Estonia) – 1:05.81
17. Sienna Toohey (Australia) – 1:06.55
200 Breaststroke
20. Lyu Qinyao (China) – 2:24.33
50 Butterfly
13. Zoe Pedersen (New Zealand) – 25.63
13. Mizuki Hirai (Japan) – 25.63
100 Butterfly
8. Mizuki Hirai (Japan) – 56.70
13. Alex Shackell (United States) – 57.31
18. Audrey Derivaux (United States) – 57.57
200 Butterfly
6. Alex Shackell (United States) – 2:06.13
7. Yu Zidi (China) – 2:06.43
8. Audrey Derivaux (United States) – 2:06.46
15. Serafima Fokina (Russia) – 2:07.67
200 Individual Medley
7. Mio Narita (Japan) – 2:09.16
8. Yu Zidi (China) – 2:09.21
20. Mana Ishikawa (Japan) – 2:10.50
400 Individual Medley
2. Mio Narita (Japan) – 4:33.26
4. Yu Zidi (China) – 4:33.76
6. Agostina Hein (Argentina) – 4:34.34
7. Chang Mohan (China) – 4:34.59
8. Amelie Smith (Great Britain) – 4:35.49
20. Shiki Takayama (Japan) – 4:38.08