It was an exciting race with all kinds of lead changes, surges, great buoy turns, and photo finish touches.

While it appeared that Sachika Kajimoto (19, Japan, World Aquatics bio here) had control of the race until the last turn buoy of the 500m final heat in the women’s 3 km Knockout Sprint today at the 2026 World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships, the rest of the field was surging behind her.

After the first heat of 1500m and the semifinal heat of 1000m, it turned out that Brinkleigh Hansen of the USA and Kseniia Misharina of Russia were the first two to enter the finish chute. Hansen had a slightly better line as Misharina had to negotiate the finish chute lane line on her left. That gave Hansen just enough space to capture the 3 km Knockout Sprint title. Misharina had finished ahead of her in yesterday’s 7.5 km 16-17 year race, but Hansen had the better of her today.

Hansen was all smiles afterwards, “I am so excited that I could do that for Team USA. I am so glad to do this for my parents and family who are here (her younger brother Sawyer Hansen won silver in yesterday’s 14-15 year boys 5 km race). I could definitely hear my parents during the final stretch, running up and down the course, and that definitely helped me push to the finish. It was great to stand on the podium. I love hearing our national anthem, so that always makes my day. It was my goal, and I needed to hear it today.“

Kajimoto led most of the race, but hung on to capture a bronze medal in a rare tie with Alex Siegel of the USA.

All competitors from ages 14 to 19 were eligible to compete. It will be great to continue watching these young women’s development over the next two Olympic quadrennials (LA28 and 2032 Brisbane).

3 km Knockout Sprint, 14-19 Year

1. Brinkleigh Hansen (16, USA, World Aquatics bio here) 5:18.8
2. Kseniia Misharina (17, Russia, World Aquatics bio here) 5:18.9
3. Sachika Kajimoto (19, Japan, World Aquatics bio here) and Alex Siegel (16, USA, World Aquatics bio here) 5:21.0
4. Varvara Kharchenko (18, Russia, World Aquatics bio here) 5:22.5
5. Olivia Galea (16, Australia, World Aquatics bio here) 5:26.4
6. Rafaela Coello (18, Ecuador, World Aquatics bio here) 5:29.7
7. Clara Martinez de Salinas Pena (19, Spain, World Aquatics bio here) 5:30.0
8. Napsugar Nagy (17, Hungary, World Aquatics bio here) 5:31.3
9. Ginevra Bagaglini (16, Italy, World Aquatics bio here) 5:35.5

© 2026 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

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