Ten Sun Devils to compete at the World Aquatics Championships
Ilya Kharun Swimming the 200 fly at the 2024 Paris Olympics
TEMPE – Ten members from Sun Devil Swimming are representing their countries at the 2025 World Aquatic Championships in Singapore starting Saturday, July 26, through August 3. Coverage can be seen on Peacock with prelims beginning at 7 p.m. MST and finals commencing at 4 a.m. MST.
Current Sun Devil junior Ilya Kharun represents Canada after making his third world championship team. In 2024, he won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the 200m fly and the 100m fly. In addition, Kharun became a short-course world champion in the 200m fly (1:48.24) and won a silver medal in the 50m fly (21.67). Kharun is joined by his teammate Filip Senc-Samardzic, who will swim on the 4x100m relay team.
At the Paris Olympics, former Sun Devil swimmer Léon Marchand introduced himself to the world by winning four gold medals in front of his home country in the 400m IM, 200m fly, 200m breast and the 200m IM, setting Olympic records in all four races. The Frenchman is competing in the 200 IM and the 400 IM in Singapore and will attempt to continue his winning ways.
Incoming freshman Albane Cachot joins the French team, competing in her first World Aquatics Championship. Earlier this month, she captured gold at the European Junior Championships in the 100m free in 54.17.
A moment Leon Marchand will NEVER forget. ❤️ #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/xuvQ723O3o
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 10, 2025
Representing the United States are Sun Devil alum Patrick Sammon, competing in the 100m freestyle, and current Sun Devil senior Jonny Kulow, who is part of the 4x100m relay team. Head coach Herbie Behm is one of eight assistant coaches for Team USA at the World Championships. All three are making their first appearances representing the red, white and blue in international competition.
In the open water swimming last week, Dylan Gravley competed in the men’s 5k and 10k races and made it to the semifinal of the men’s 3k sprint competition.
Sun Devil alum David Schlicht will represent Australia in the 200 IM next week after making his first world championship team. Incoming freshman Alexia Sotomayor is one of four swimmers representing Peru and will compete in the 200m back and the 100m fly. Representing Israel, incoming freshman Jonathan Itzhaki will swim in the 100m breast and Sun Devil sophomore Tolu Young will represent Fiji in the 50m free and butterfly and the 100m free.
List of Participants by country:
Australia:
David Schlicht (Alumni) – 200m IM
Canada:
Ilya Kharun – 50m fly, 100m fly, 200m fly
Filip Senc-Samardzic – 4x100m free relay
Fiji:
Tolu Young – 50m free, 100m free, 50m fly
France:
Albane Cachot – Mixed 4x100m Free Relay, Women’s 4x100m Free Relay
Leon Marchand (Alumni) – 200 IM, 400 IM
Israel:
Jonathan Itzhaki – 100m breast
Peru:
Alexia Sotomayor – 100m fly, 200m back
United States:
Jonny Kulow – 4x100m free relay
Patrick Sammon (Alumni) – 100m free
Herbie Behm - Assistant Coach