BUDAPEST, Hungary – Katie Ledecky took an American one-two lead and claimed her fourth 1,500-meter freestyle title at Monday’s world swimming championships.
Ledecky was never intimidated and hit 15:30.15 – just under 10 seconds more than her world record from 2018 – to finish 14.74 seconds ahead of Katie Grimes.
Ledecky punches into the water in amusement before waiting to hug his teammates.
“To be able to share this moment with her was really special,” Ledecky said.
Grimes, 16, is the second youngest person to win a medal in the 1,500 worlds since Ledecky won it for the first time in 2013.
“I’m really nervous leading up to it because it’s my first world championship and Team USA has done an excellent job, so I want to keep going,” Grimes said.
Meanwhile, Thomas Ceccon of Italy set a world record in the men’s 100 backstroke with a time of 51.60 seconds, 0.15 seconds behind the previous best set by American Ryan Murphy at the 2016 Olympics
Ceccon said: “Yesterday I swam 52.1, very easy. And that’s it. ”
Murphy finished second, 0.37 seconds behind, followed by compatriot Hunter Armstrong, 0.38 behind Ceccon.
Murphy said: “Repent to Thomas watching his record beat.
Ceccon is the second Italian man to set a world record in long-distance swimming after Giorgio Lamberti. Lamberti held the record in the men’s 200 freestyle from 1989 to 1999. Ceccon is also the youngest gold medalist at age 21 in the men’s 100 backstroke at a single world since Aaron Peirsol was 19 years old. of the United States won in 2003.
Ledecky also won in 2015 and 2017 and has at least four world titles in each of the 1,500 metres, 800 and 400 metres. Golden Monday is her record-extending 17th world title.
Only compatriot Michael Phelps has also won at least four golds in three different swimming events at the world, although he has achieved it in only one individual event – five 200 butterfly titles – as well as two relays (4×100 medium, 4×200 freestyle).
Australia’s Lani Pallister, who finished third, 18.81 ahead of Ledecky’s pace, said: “I don’t think anyone’s going to overtake Katie in a short time, but I certainly think that’s the target for me. everyone moves forward,” said Australia’s Lani Pallister, who finished third, 18.81 ahead of Ledecky’s pace. The world swimming standard. ”
Pallister finished third, 18.81 points behind Ledecky, to win her nation’s first medal in this race. The 1,500 freestyle is the only women’s event in the world where an Australian swimmer has not stepped onto the podium.
Italy’s Simona Quadarella, the second fastest in qualifying, finished fifth, half a minute behind.
Regan Smith had another gold medal for the United States in the women’s 100 backstroke, with a record of 58.22 to finish 0.18 ahead of Canadian Kylie Masse and another American, Claire Curzan, in second. father.
Benedetta Pilato, 17, of Italy, won the women’s 100 breaststroke in 1:05.93, 0.05 against Anna Elendt of Germany and 0.09 against Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania. Pilato, who couldn’t contain his joy, was the youngest Italian swimmer to win a gold medal at a single world.
She has brought her country’s total gold to three, as much as Italian swimmers have won in previous worlds.
In addition, David Popovici of Romania set a youth world record when he won the men’s 200 meters with a ratio of 1:43.21. Popovici, 17, is 1.26 seconds ahead of South Korea’s Hwang Sun-woo and 1.77 seconds ahead of England’s Tom Dean.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
