At this championships, synchronized swimmer Natalia Ishchenko, of Russia, was the most decorated competitor winning all six gold medals of her events, at solo, duet and team routines.

On the first day of competition on July 16, host nation China won the first gold medal of the meet in the women's 3 m synchro springboard.

The duo of Wu Minxia and He Zi had a score of 356.40 to win by more than 40 points ahead of Canadians Émilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel.

[2] On the second day of competition, the Chinese duo of Qiu Bo and Huo Liang won gold in the men's 10 m synchro platform with a score of 480.03.

In the women's 10 m synchro platform, the Chinese duo of Wang Hao and Chen Ruolin won gold with a score of 362.58 points.

On the second day of competition, Greek Spyridon Gianniotis won the gold in the men's 10 km, finishing ahead of German Thomas Lurz.

On the third day of competition, the American threesome of Andrew Gemmell, Ashley Twichell and Sean Ryan won gold in the 5 km team event in a tallied time of 57:00.6.

In the women's 400 m freestyle, Italian Federica Pellegrini successfully defended her 2009 crown and crushed the field to win gold in a time of 4:01.97, over two seconds ahead of British Rebecca Adlington.

In the men's 400 m freestyle, Korean Park Tae-Hwan won the gold in a time of 3:42.04, over one second ahead of second-place finisher Chinese Sun Yang.

In the women's 4×100 m freestyle relay, the Dutch team of Inge Dekker, Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Marleen Veldhuis, and Femke Heemskerk finished ahead of the United States 3:33.96 to 3:34.47.

In the first final of day two, the women's 100 m butterfly, American Dana Vollmer won the gold after posting the top times in the heats and semifinals.

[7] In the men's 50 m butterfly, Brazilian César Cielo, just recently cleared to compete after failing a drug test, won in a time of 23.10.

At the 150 mark, Ye was in fifth place but covered the last 50 metres in 29.42 to surge ahead of American Ariana Kukors and Australian Alicia Coutts for the win.

[10] In the women's 100 m backstroke, Chinese Zhao Jing won the gold in a time of 59.05, just 1/100 of a second ahead of Russian Anastasia Zuyeva.

In the women's 100 m breaststroke, American Rebecca Soni dominated the field to win in a time of 1:05.05, over a second ahead of second-place finisher Leisel Jones.

[14] In the women's 200 m freestyle, Italian Federica Pellegrini won her second gold medal of the meet and successfully defended her 2009 crown.

In the first final of day five, the men's 200 m individual medley, American Ryan Lochte set the first world record of the competition en route to winning gold with a time of 1:54.00 and successfully defended his 2009 title.

[17] In the women's 200 m butterfly, Chinese Jiao Liuyang won her first individual world title with a time of 2:05.55, just holding off Brit Ellen Gandy who finished second in 2:05.59.

[19] In the women's 4×200 m freestyle relay, the American team of Missy Franklin, Dagny Knutson, Katie Hoff, and Allison Schmitt won the gold with a time of 7:46.14.

In the first final of day six, the women's 100 m freestyle, Dane Jeanette Ottesen and Belarusian Aleksandra Gerasimenya tied for the gold medal with a time of 53.45.

[24] In the final event of day six, the men's 4×200 m freestyle relay, the American team of Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, Ricky Berens, and Ryan Lochte won the gold with a time of 7:02.67.

In the first final of day seven, the women's 50 m butterfly, Dutch swimmer Inge Dekker pulled an upset and won the gold ahead world record holder Therese Alshammar 25.71 to 25.76.

[30] In the final event of day seven, the women's 4×100 m medley relay, the American team of Natalie Coughlin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer, and Missy Franklin won the gold with a time of 3:52.36, over three seconds ahead of second-place finisher China.

In the first final of day eight, the women's 50 m breaststroke, American Jessica Hardy outtouched Russian Yuliya Yefimova for the gold medal 30.19 to 30.49.

[38] In the final event of day eight, the men's 4×100 m medley relay, the American team of Nick Thoman, Mark Gangloff, Michael Phelps, and Nathan Adrian won the gold with a time of 3:32.06.

The following world records were established during the competition: The synchronised swimming events were held at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center from July 17–23.

On the first day of the synchronised swimming competition on July 17, Russia took the first gold in the solo technical routine, with Natalia Ishchenko winning with a score of 98.300.

On day three of the synchronised swimming competition, Russia continued its strong performance with gold in the team technical routine with 98.300 points.

[40] On the fourth day of competition, Russia continued its dominance with Natalia Ishchenko picking up her third gold medal in the solo free routine.

On the sixth day of competition, Russian Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina won gold in the duet free routine.