With this latest gold medal, Ledecky also tied fellow American Natalie Coughlin for the women’s record 20 career medals at the world championships.
“It’s pretty crazy because I feel like I went to Barcelona yesterday,” Ledecki said. “It’s been amazing to represent Team USA year after year, it’s such an honor and honour. And that’s why I work hard.”
It was a remarkable performance of the dominant power in women’s long-distance freestyle. Ledecky’s time was 3:15:15 p.m., albeit nearly 10 seconds from her world record. But it was eight seconds faster than any other woman who had ever done the job.
The American athlete left the rest of the field as she scored 14.74 seconds ahead of her compatriot Katie Grimes, who took the silver medal.
The 16-year-old Grimes has become the second-placed winner in the world’s 1,500m since Ledecky won his first race in 2013.
“It’s great to be on the block next to her. in the lane next to her And sharing this moment with her was really special,” Ledecky said, according to swim website SwimSwam.
The 1,500m free is Ledecki’s second gold medal at the world championships after his victory in the 400m free sprint on Saturday.
She has two more events to compete in these championships: the 4×200m freestyle relay on Wednesday and the 800m freestyle on Thursday and Friday. In which she can become the first swimmer to win five consecutive world championships in one event.
