United States swimmer Katie Ledecky won her 20th career world championship gold medal on Tuesday, making her the first person to win at least five world titles in two separate events.
Ledecky won the 1,500m freestyle by 17.04 seconds at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Her latest victory puts her in the same league as Michael Phelps, with both athletes now tied for the most individual world golds in swimming at 15 gold medals.
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“I’m just really enjoying swimming right now, especially my distance events. I’ve just been feeling great,” Ledecky said. “I feel like I’m getting better each time I swim them. That’s what you love to see. You love to see improvement, and that’s been my biggest goal over the last couple of years.”
THAT'S KATIE LEDECKY!@katieledecky is the first person to win five world titles in two different events AND she ties Michael Phelps for the most individual world golds in swimming (15).
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2023
And she won this 1500m free world title by 17 seconds. ???? #AQUAFukuoka23 pic.twitter.com/y6WeHj99IJ
Ledecky's latest victory marks her 20th career world championship gold medal. Footage of her receiving the medal and the U.S. national anthem playing afterward was posted online.
Introducing the 2023 women's 1500m free world champion. ????????????
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 25, 2023
The national anthem of the United States plays for Katie Ledecky after winning her 20th career world championship gold medal. #AQUAFukuoka23 pic.twitter.com/5Hw729oCZb
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Ledecky owns five world titles in the 800m and 1,500m frees, four in the 400m, and one in the 200m.
While Ledecky is tied with Phelps, she is expected to break the tie in the 800m free final, which will be held on Saturday.