Ledecky shatters world record in 1,500m
Print Edition
American teenager Katie Ledecky set a new world record in the 1,500m freestyle for her second gold medal at the World Swimming Championships on Tuesday in Barcelona.
Looking stronger at the end of the grueling race than she did at the beginning, the 16-year-old obliterated the world record by more than 6 seconds.
“She’s absolutely fit,” marveled Mereia Belmonte of Spain, who finished in fourth. “Impressive. She’s probably made in the same factory as Michael Phelps.”
Lotte Friis of Denmark also went under the old record, 15:38.88, but it was only good enough for silver. New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle took the bronze.
American Missy Franklin also picked up her second gold medal.
Cruising through a demanding double, the 18-year-old easily won the 100m backstroke in 58.42 seconds. Australia’s Emily Seebohm was next in 59.06, with the bronze medal going to Japan’s Aya Terakawa in 59.23.
Franklin returned about an hour later to post the second-fastest time in the semifinals of the 200m free.
“It’s tough but it’s fun,” Franklin said. “I’m super happy with my 100 back. It really got me pumped up for the 200 free.”
It was a good night for the Americans after failing to win gold the day before.
Matt Grevers and David Plummer went 1-2 in the 100m backstroke for the third US victory of the session. Conor Dwyer picked up a silver behind France’s Yannick Agnel in the 200m free, and Jessica Hardy chipped in with a bronze in the 100m breaststroke won by Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte.
The only disappointment for the US was Ryan Lochte, who labored to a fourth-place finish in the 200m free, won by Agnel.
Agnel blew away the field, pushing the pace from the start and never letting up. He touched in 1:44.20, a full body length ahead of the field, setting off another wild celebration from the large French contingent in the crowd.
“I am so surprised,” said Agnel, the reigning Olympic champion. “I did not expect such a result.”
Danila Izotov of Russia claimed bronze in 1:45.59.
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