MISSOULA — Katharine Berkoff, a Missoula native, captured a gold medal Thursday in the 50-meter backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

Berkoff, who won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke on Tuesday, prevailed in the 50-meter finals with a time of 27.08 seconds, outpacing fellow American Regan Smith (27.25 seconds) and third-place Letian Wan of China (27.3). It is Berkoff's first world title.

The 24-year-old Berkoff qualified for the finals with her performance in the semis on Wednesday; she took second in her heat behind English swimmer Lauren Cox. Berkoff finished in 27.34 seconds while Cox won the heat with a time of 27.26.

Berkoff, a highly decorated swimmer from Montana, won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics and helpe

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