Katie Ledecky showed incredible range and proved that she is able to hang with sprinters as she won the women’s 200 free in Kazan at the World Championships.
Her final time of 1:55.16 tied her personal best from last summer, as she edged out Italian star Federica Pellegrini (1:55.32), who owns the world record in this event. Missy Franklin finished up third for the bronze medal at 1:55.49. Those were the only three swimmers to break 1:56.
Ledecky has won gold in all four of her events thus far. While some have speculated that she should have waited until Rio to add this event, so that it wouldn’t conflict with the 1500 free which she swam shortly before the 200 free semifinals, Ledecky pushed through the tough double and ended up with another gold medal. Her last race of the meet will be finals of the 800 freestyle.