Michael Phelps to become the individual with the highest number of gold medals for swimming.
Fukooka, Japan – Here’s what makes Katie Ledecky stand out in the history of water sports: she is never fully satisfied.
On Saturday, she etched her name in history during the world championships by clinching a remarkable victory in the 800m freestyle. Katie Ledecky became the first swimmer ever to win six gold medals in this event. This achievement was not only a display of her extraordinary talent but also marked her 16th individual world title, breaking her tie with Michael Phelps for the most individual gold medals ever achieved in the world.
Her accolades don’t end there. Katie Ledecky is no stranger to success, having already won numerous awards.
With an outstanding track record, Katie Ledecky proudly holds the title of a seven-time Olympic gold medalist. Her excellence extends even further as she reigns as the world record holder in both the 800m and 1,500m events, illustrating her complete dominance in freestyle swimming on a global level. Her outstanding accomplishments have solidified her place among the best swimmers in history.
But the time of 8 minutes, 8.87 seconds she achieved in the 800-meter event, which is the fastest time ever recorded by a female swimmer, wasn’t quite enough for her favorite event. “I’m always striving to think of new ways to improve. My mind is already on tonight,” she said, spinning her goggles in her hand, trying to focus her thoughts.
I am quite hard on myself,” she continued. But I believe I’ve found a happy medium between being hard on myself and still having compassion.
After winning the 1,500-meter freestyle on Tuesday, Katie Ledecky’s second individual gold came in the 800-meter event. China’s Li Bingjie won the silver with a time of 8:13.31, and Australia’s Ariarne Titmus took the bronze with a time of 8:13.59.
“I find it fun to challenge myself in my favorite event, and I wanted to leave it all in the pool,” Katie Ledecky said.
In the eight-day meet, this was her fourth gold medal, securing only the fourth gold for the United States in this combined reign. During this period, Australia claimed 13 gold medals, matching their all-time best medal haul at a world championship. Australia added three more gold medals on Saturday.”
A total of 31 medals, with 16 gold ones, were won by American swimmers at the most recent championships, overtaking China’s 13 and Australia’s 20 to take the top three positions overall.
Talented Australian swimmer Keti McKeown created history by winning the women’s 200-meter backstroke competition. She swept all three backstroke challenges, taking first place in the 200m backstroke as well as conquering the 50m and 100m events.
This remarkable achievement made her the first swimmer ever to achieve a clean sweep in all backstroke events. Additionally, this victory was her first-ever appearance in the 200m individual medley (IM) competition.
Meanwhile, American swimmer Gretchen Walsh secured the bronze with a time of 25.46 seconds.
Japanese fan-favorite Rikako Ikee, who made an incredible comeback from leukemia, finished in a respectable seventh place in the women’s 50m butterfly with a time of 25.78 seconds. The home crowd warmly welcomed her back after her remarkable journey.