Katie Ledecky has once again proved that she is the undisputed queen of the 1500-meter freestyle in swimming.
The American won the title yet again at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, finishing in 15 minutes, 26.44 seconds. She came ahead of Simona Quadarella of Italy (15:31.79) and Lani Pallister of Australia (15:41.18).
It was Ledecky’s second medal in these games after taking bronze in the 400 free behind Canadian Summer McIntosh.
Ledecky challenged her own world record time for much of the final before touching the wall in 15:26.44.
“I was just trying to get out fast, but comfortable enough that I could go from there,” Ledecky said. “I’m happy with the time and happy with the swim.” “I love this race,” she added.
“It was the race I broke my first world record in 2013. Lots of great races over the years.” Ledecky was ahead of her world-record pace through 1,250 meters, pushed early by Pallister.
The American swimmer had the top qualifying times going into four finals and won one gold and three silver medals with very close finishes in all three.
Katie Ledecky: Numbers don’t lie!
Ledecky is the most decorated female swimmer in history ruling the pool for more than a decade.
Her time in Singapore was the fifth fastest, not far off her world record of 15:20.48 set in 2018.
She now has 22 gold medals in world championships and 28 overall. She owns nine Olympic gold medals and 14 overall. That makes up for 42 Olympic and world medals, including 31 gold.
The American star, who has also won two Olympic gold medals in the event, has won all six world championship races in the 1,500 that she has competed in since 2013.
She withdrew from the event in 2019 due to illness and skipped last year’s worlds to focus on the Olympics.
Katie Ledecky, with 28 total medals, is second all-time behind only Michael Phelps who has 33.
She is four short of the retired Phelps’ career tally of 26 world gold medals.
“Growing up it was very inspiring to watch world championships, Olympic Games that Michael was in, trying to learn from the very best,” said Ledecky, 28.
“I was always a student of the sport.”
Also Read: List Of Swimming World Records; Check All Details
Ledecky was the top favorite going into the race, having qualified for the final over 10 seconds faster than nearest challenger Pallister.
She also went into the race owning the top 24 1,500m freestyle times ever, and set the second-fastest time in history in April behind her own record.
Ledecky was on world-record pace until late in the race. In the end she fell short of the mark but still clocked the fifth-fastest time ever.
“Lani took it out there. I knew she would be out fast and I just wanted to get out fast, but comfortable enough that I could go from there,” said Ledecky.
“I’m happy with the time and happy with the swim.”
