seven times Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky continues to vindicate her position as one of the best in the sport when she tied Michael Phelps’ record for individual titles at world championships on Tuesday.
Ledecky, 26, took home gold in the women’s 1,500m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan on Tuesday with a time of 15 minutes, 26.27 seconds.
Katie Ledecky of the United States is seen with her gold medal after victory in the women’s 1500m freestyle final on day three of the 2023 Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on July 25, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
MICHAEL PHELPS LOOKS AT INDIVIDUAL SWIMMING FINAL RECORD DESTROYED BY FRENCH PHENOMENON: ‘THAT WAS CRAZY’
It was the third fastest time of his career in that event. She also beat out the second place finisher by 17 seconds.
Ledecky became the first person to win five world titles in two different events with victory on Tuesday. He also tied Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, for the most individual world titles.
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Katie Ledecky of the United States competes in the women’s 1500m freestyle final on day three of the 2023 Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on July 25, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
She is now the most decorated swimmer in the world with 20 total gold medals, 15 of which have come in individual events.
«I never dreamed of winning Olympic gold,» Ledecky said after the race. «So after I did it, it was like, ‘OK, the rest is icing on the cake, icing on it,’ whatever you call it. I’m just trying to build a really big cake, I guess.»
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Katie Ledecky of the USA celebrates after winning the final of the women’s 1500m freestyle swimming event during the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka on July 25, 2023. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
He has a chance to make even more history this weekend with the 800m on Saturday. If she takes home the gold, she will become the first to win six world titles in the same event.
Associated Press contributed to this report.