Rowan Crothers has delivered a stunning performance at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, winning three gold medals – including two individual sprint crowns and a world record relay – to take his career tally to eight world titles.

On day one, Crothers stormed home in the men’s 50m freestyle S10, clocking an Oceania record 23.21 seconds to successfully defend his world crown.

The win marked the first gold medal of the championships for the Dolphins, with Crothers edging out reigning Paralympic champion and fellow Australian, Tom Gallagher (23.46).

The gold haul didn’t stop there. Crothers went on to dominate the 100m freestyle S10, touching in 51.05 to secure his title as the undisputed sprint king.

Reflecting on his success after the race, Crothers said:

“It feels pretty awesome to come away with seven world championship titles. Even though I’ve been on the team for what, 12 years, I still feel like a rookie and I still feel like I’m learning every time I get in the pool.”

“Getting to train with some of the best able-bodied athletes, like (Olympic medallist) Matt Temple, at SASI in Adelaide has helped me learn so much about how they approach every session, every recovery and how they do the ‘one percenters’.

“I think the whole Paralympic team, like Tommy (Gallagher) at St Peters, is lifting their standards year after year and I’m so excited to see what that’s going to mean for the team in a few years’ time.”

Crothers’ campaign was capped off in style when he teamed up with Lex Leary, Chloe Osborn and Callum Simpson to deliver a world record swim in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.

The quartet stopped the clock at 3:58.40, securing Australia’s ninth gold medal of the championships and Crothers’ third gold of the meet.

This year’s victories were particularly significant, with Crothers managing a back injury in the six weeks leading into the meet.

They also represented his first international medals under SASI, after relocating from Brisbane to Adelaide to train with coach Kate Irvine at Marion Swimming Club.

With three gold medals, including a world record relay, Crothers leaves Singapore brimming with confidence and momentum as he continues his build toward the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.