{"id":520450,"date":"2023-01-02T12:59:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T19:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=520450"},"modified":"2023-01-02T12:59:00","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T19:59:00","slug":"ahead-of-next-world-champs-how-fukuoka-featured-special-stage-in-2001","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ahead-of-next-world-champs-how-fukuoka-featured-special-stage-in-2001\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahead Of Next World Champs, How Fukuoka Put On Special Show During Last Hosting Duties"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ahead Of Next World Champs, How Fukuoka Put On Special Show During Last Hosting Duties<\/strong><\/p>\n

When the World Championships open in Fukuoka this summer, it will have been 22 years since the competition was last held in the Japanese city. Following a 2022 campaign in which the major meets lacked full fields, action in Fukuoka is expected to feature a full complement of stars \u2013 one year out from the Olympic Games in Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"David

Photo Courtesy: Giorgio Scala \/ Deepbluemedia \/ Insidefoto<\/p><\/div>\n

A clash between the past two Olympic champions<\/a> in the 400-meter freestyle, Ariarne Titmus<\/strong> and Katie Ledecky<\/strong>, is expected, with rising star Summer McIntosh<\/strong> also part of the duel. On the men\u2019s side, a showdown between David Popovici<\/strong> and Kyle Chalmers<\/strong> will be a highlight, the event more enticing if Caeleb Dressel<\/strong> returns from his hiatus.<\/p>\n

As we look ahead to what Fukuoka might bring, it\u2019s worth revisiting what unfolded in 2001. After all, that competition was special in nature. Here\u2019s a look at some of the highlights from the last time Fukuoka served as host of the World Champs.<\/p>\n