Kliment Kolesnikov of neutral athletes B (NAB) reacts after the men's 50m backstroke final of swimming at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Aug. 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

World record holder Kliment Kolesnikov stormed to victory in the men's 50-meter backstroke final at the World Aquatics Championships on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Russian, competing as a Neutral Athlete, was in a class of his own from start to finish and clinched the title with a new championship record of 23.68 seconds.

South Africa's Pieter Coetze and fellow Neutral Athlete Pavel Samusenko shared the silver medal after both touched in 24.17 seconds, 0.49 seconds behind Kolesnikov. Coetze's time also broke the African record.

This marks Kolesnikov's first appearance at the World Championships since earning bronze in the same event in 2019. His gold in Singapore is also the first individual title won by a Russian swimmer - under the Neutral Athletes B designation - at these championships.