2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
- July 23 to 30, 2023
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Marine Messe Fukuoka
- LCM (50m)
- WORLD CHAMPS WATCH PARTY – DAILY
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Entry Book
- Live Results (Omega)
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
Katie Ledecky is firmly entrenched in swimming’s history books, but she added a few more accolades to her resume on Tuesday.
Ledecky powered her way to a fifth world title in the women’s 1500 freestyle, producing the third-fastest time ever (15:26.27) while tying Michael Phelps for the most individual gold medals won at the World Aquatics Championships.
Reflecting on claiming her 15th individual world title to match Phelps, along with how she’s remained consistent at the biggest meets under massive expectation, Ledecky said she just focuses on doing the work, finding ways to improve, and enjoying herself.
“I don’t really think about the pressure,” she said. “I think the biggest pressure is the pressure I put on myself. But really, I have, as I said, a great family around me. Great coaches, great teammates, both my teammates at Florida, but also all my teammates over the years that continue to support me, my teammates here on Team USA, we keep it fun, we keep it light. We don’t think about the pressure too much.
“And yeah, I think every year I just try to get a little bit better. And some years you see the results, some years you don’t, but I see the results in practice. I don’t think a year has gone by where I haven’t felt like I’ve improved even if it’s in some small way. So I try to always take the positives away from races.”
The 26-year-old said she often thinks back to when she first got into the sport to remind herself that her number one goal is enjoyment.
“I always look for areas to improve, but I just always try to remember that six-year-old that started swimming for the fun of it and never imagined I would make it to the stage or, you know, be swimming at the international level for this long.
“So really after London (2012), my approach was, you know, I want to get back to that level.
“I want to continue to come to these meets, but I never dreamed of winning one Olympic gold. So after I did that, it was like, OK, the rest is icing on the cake, cherry on top, whatever you want to call it. And I’m just trying to build a really big cake.”
🥇x1️⃣5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Katie Ledecky is the first person to win five world titles in two different events & reaches Michael Phelps for the most individual world championships gold medals😱 pic.twitter.com/ee9MH6uwzC
— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) July 25, 2023
Speaking specifically on matching Phelps, Ledecky once again reiterated how she’s exceeded her own expectations.
“It really was only on my radar because a couple of people, media or whoever, mentioned it. It’s an honor,” she said.
“Obviously, I’ve known Michael for many years now. I looked up to him as a little kid. We’re both from Maryland. So again, just never really imagined I would be in this position.
“It’s always an honor to win a medal for Team USA, especially gold, and I’m just gonna keep going and continue to do my very best each time I race.”
Ledecky was also thrilled with the time. After having not broken the 15:30 mark for more than three years, she’s now done it in back-to-back meets, following up her 15:29.64 showing at U.S. Nationals with the 15:26.27 tonight.
“I was 15:20 five years ago, but that was still a great performance for me. I think just the last couple of years I’ve just tried to be really locked in on my stroke and my rhythm and the work that I’m putting in, I’m putting in a lot of work for that 800 and mile, and I think I’m just growing more and more confidence every time I race those events and getting under 15: 30 a couple of weeks ago at nationals was a huge step for me.
“I hadn’t been under 15:30 since before the pandemic. And so to do that there and then to chop off another three seconds from nationals a couple of weeks ago was really great.”
Ledecky will be on the hunt for more history later in the meet, as she can become the first swimmer to win the same event six straight times at the World Championships in the 800 free. If she does, she will overtake Phelps for number one all-time in individual golds.
Do we think Katie is going to compete in Doha? Has she said anything about it? I have a feeling Titmus will skip it to focus on Paris. I hope Ledecky does, to build on her world championship gold collection and to continue her streak of 800m world titles
She wouldn’t need a full taper if the 800 is all she’s worried about, a 8:10 is likely all required for her to win until she retires after 2028
And I fully expect her to go 8:05-8:07 annually until 2028 based on the Florida switch success
Ledecky has always swum fast in season, so she would probably not need to rest much in order to win the 800 and 1500, especially. She does however rarely leave the country during the year.
I doubt it. The same could be said of the female veterans on the squad:
King, Lilly
Ledecky, Katie
Smith, Leah
Smoliga, Olivia
Weitzeil, Abbey
Who wants to double taper in an Olympic year?
Female GOAT!
End of discussion.
Man, I just love Katie Ledecky!
Such an amazing person, always positive.
I had so much fun watching her celebrate her win tonight and I believe my prediction about her going even faster (than 15:25?!) next year will come true!
GO Katie!
straight class
2013. Barcelona. World Championships. Ledecky became the first woman in textile suit who goes under 4 min in 400FR. But she is still with high school girl mentality. What most exciting for her in this result is that she is now on par with those boys that she is training with back home.
Then the stupid question followed: how she managed to become the first woman under 4 min?
Her short answer made me to believe that this girl who surprised many with her win of Olympic gold gonna have indeed bright and long lasting swimming career.
“ A LOT OF TRAINING”.
The GOAT of class.
Ledecky, the champion we revere,
In the pool, she has no fear,
With Phelps she’s now tied,
For gold medals worldwide,
Her journey beyond belief, crystal clear!
Did you rig an upvote bot or something?