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Ledecky Wins Sixth-Straight 800 FR, Breaks Phelps’ Individual World Champs Golds Record

2023 WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

In Katie Ledecky‘s dominant 800 freestyle win at the 2023 World Championships, she broke a slew of records in the process.

Ledecky’s win was her 16th individual World Championships gold medal, which means she has officially passed Michael Phelps as the swimmer with the most gold medals in Worlds history. In addition, she also becomes the first swimmer to win six-straight World titles in an event, having previously won 800 free gold in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. Notably, her 800 free win in 2019 came after she had been sick for the majority of the meet.

There was no doubt that Ledecky would win her 2023 free race on Saturday night, as she led from start to finish. Her final time of 8:08.87 was 4.44 seconds ahead of everyone else, and the seventh-fastest performance of all-time. She holds the 29 fastest times in the history of the event.

All-Time Top Performances, Women’s 800 Meter Freestyle:

  1. Katie Ledecky — 8:04.79 (2016)
  2. Katie Ledecky — 8:06.68 (2016)
  3. Katie Ledecky — 8:07.07 (2023)
  4. Katie Ledecky — 8:07.27 (2018)
  5. Katie Ledecky — 8:07.39 (2015)
  6. Katie Ledecky — 8:08.04 (2022)
  7. Katie Ledecky — 8:08.87 (2023)
  8. Katie Ledecky — 8:09.13 (2018)
  9. Katie Ledecky — 8:09.27 (2022)
  10. Katie Ledecky — 8:10.32 (2016)
  11. Katie Ledecky — 8:10.70 (2019)
  12. Katie Ledecky — 8:10.91 (2016)
  13. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.00 (2014)
  14. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.08 (2018)
  15. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.21 (2015)
  16. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.35 (2014)
  17. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.50 (2017)
  18. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.70 (2018)
  19. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.83 (2022)
  20. Katie Ledecky — 8:11.98 (2018)
  21. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.03 (2022)
  22. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.57 (2020)
  23. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.68 (2017)
  24. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.81 (2022)
  25. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.86 (2016)
  26. Katie Ledecky — 8:13.02 (2015)
  27. Katie Ledecky — 8:13.06 (2022)
  28. Katie Ledecky — 8:12.20 (2016)
  29. Katie Ledecky — 8:13.25 (2015)
  30. Li Bingjie — 8:13.31 (2023)

Ledecky has been undefeated on the international stage in the 800 free since 2012, when she first won Olympic gold in the event at age 15. She now has six World titles, three Olympic golds, and two Pan Pac titles to her name in the event.

Winners Of The Women’s 800 Free Since 2012 (Olympics, World Championships, Pan Pacs):

Last year, Ledecky became the first swimmer to win five straight World titles in an event after her 800 free win. This year, she extends that streak to six.

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Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

8:12.57 – 31 Jul 2021
8:12.81 – 01 Dec 2021

Zippo
1 year ago

In the pool, Ledecky’s a force to be reckoned,
Her victories, Phelps’ records have beckoned,
With gold medals galore,
And titles to explore,
In history, her name is now reckoned.

IRO
1 year ago

It’s amazing to me that she’s never seemed to take a break, either.

Stan Crump
Reply to  IRO
1 year ago

Didn’t she kind of have a break while finishing her degree during the Covid pandemic?

Dan
1 year ago

What is her total individual medal count?
She got 3 this year and Sarah got 1 (and might get a 2nd tomorrow) so Katie is catching Sarah and Michael in total medals as well and with Katie being a few years younger than Sarah she might pass her in total medals.
Sarah will probably not swim the 100 Fly at any more championships, not sure about her swimming the 100 Free individually either so Katie will probably have the chance to win more individual medals at each meet in the future.

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Dan
1 year ago

World Aquatics Championships
Individual Events
Ledecky – 16 G, 3 S, 0 B, 19 Total
Sjostrom – 11 G, 6 S, 3 B, 20 Total
Hosszu – 9 G, 1 S, 5 B, 15 Total
Pellegrini – 6 G, 3 S, 1 B, 10 Total

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

Interesting critique of the performance by Katie Ledecky in the post race interview especially the take on goal times.

Georgia Rambler
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

Wasnt in Japan, but did see her swim at Indy. That was a great swim, beautiful to watch in person. She was very happy with it and pretty sure she felt she would be faster in Japan but took it out just a little too fast. No water punch, annoyed with herself a little.

Comet16
1 year ago

rowdy admitted he is a big homer 😂

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Comet16
1 year ago

“It’s over!”

Thirteenthwind
1 year ago

Lieu means to replace or substitute.

I think the phrase you’re looking for is “a slew of.”

And go Katie!

Abcedfg
1 year ago

Superhuman in every way. Exemplary person and unmatched athlete.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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