Monday | 4th August 2025
Katie Ledecky Wins Seventh 800m World Title in Thrilling Showdown
American swimming icon Katie Ledecky reaffirmed her dominance in distance freestyle events by clinching her seventh world title in the women’s 800-meter freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships on Saturday. In one of the most anticipated races of the competition, Ledecky edged out fierce challengers—Canada’s rising star Summer McIntosh and Australia’s Lani Pallister—in a dramatic final that saw all three women pushing each other to extraordinary performances.
The race was framed as a battle between generations: Ledecky, the seasoned 27-year-old with a decade of global dominance, versus McIntosh, the 18-year-old phenom from Canada who has been heralded as the future of the sport. McIntosh had bested Ledecky earlier in the week in the 400m freestyle, fueling speculation that the young Canadian might be ready to dethrone the legend. But in the 800m—Ledecky’s signature event—the American star proved why she is still the swimmer to beat.
From the start, the trio separated themselves from the rest of the field. They maintained blistering pace throughout, with all three swimmers inside world-record pace at the halfway mark. Pallister, McIntosh, and Ledecky remained virtually stroke-for-stroke, trading leads in the early laps and keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
Ledecky ultimately surged ahead in the final stretch, using her renowned closing power to finish in a championship-record time of 8:05.62. Pallister was a close second at 8:05.98, while McIntosh touched in 8:07.29, rounding out one of the fastest podiums in the event’s history.
“We got three under 8:10 there. That’s pretty incredible,” Ledecky said in her post-race interview. “Lani with the 8:05, Summer with the 8:07. That’s incredibly fast and they pushed me all the way. I’m just really happy I could put that together.”
She credited her improved leg strength for her finishing kick: “I just kept telling myself to trust my legs, because I’ve gotten a little better at kicking. So, I brought it home in the end.”
Although she fell just short of her own world record (8:04.79 set in May), Ledecky’s performance was a powerful reminder of her enduring excellence. She led most of the race, relinquishing the lead only briefly with about 100 meters remaining, before reclaiming it and fending off her younger rivals.
“I just came in tonight trying to enjoy this as much as I can,” Ledecky added. “I don’t feel like I have anything to lose at this point in my career. I just enjoy it every time I get to walk out in front of a crowd like this and swim against the best in the world.”
The gold marked Ledecky’s second of the championships, following her win in the 1,500m freestyle earlier in the week. With 23 world titles now under her belt, she continues to extend her legacy as one of the most decorated swimmers in history.
For McIntosh, the race was a rare defeat in an otherwise spectacular championship. She has already captured three gold medals—in the 200m butterfly, 400m freestyle, and 200m individual medley—and will seek a fourth in the 400m individual medley on Sunday, where she remains a top favorite.
Pallister, too, emerged from the race with her head held high. The Australian’s silver medal was a personal best and a testament to her progression into the elite ranks of distance swimming.
World Record Falls in Mixed Relay
In another highlight of the night, Team USA’s Jack Alexy, Patrick Sammon, Kate Douglass, and Torri Huske combined to break the world record in the mixed 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Their time of 3:18.48 shaved 0.35 seconds off the previous record set by Australia in 2023, underscoring the United States’ depth and strength in sprint freestyle events.
As the championship heads into its final day, the stage is set for more thrilling moments, with McIntosh’s bid for a fourth gold and several marquee relays still to come. But for now, the night belongs to Katie Ledecky—a legend who once again proved that she remains at the very peak of her powers.
Silver medallist Alex Walsh, left, of the U.S. joins the two Canadians (Summer McIntosh with the gold and Mary-Sophie Harvey with bronze) after the women’s 200-metre