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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Mike McDaniel

Katie Ledecky Breaks Incredible Michael Phelps World Titles Record With Latest Gold

The legend of Katie Ledecky continues.

The U.S. swimming star won her hallmark race, the 800m freestyle, in eight minutes and 8.87 seconds at the world championships in Japan on Saturday. She now owns the 29 fastest times in history in the event.

Ledecky’s gold also broke her tie with Michael Phelps, as Saturday marked her 16th individual swimming title.

In total, Ledecky captured two gold medals (800 m and 1500m freestyle) and two silvers (400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay) at the event.

“It was special,” Ledecky told NBC on Saturday. “I’m happy with that swim. I wanted to be a little bit better [time-wise], but I’ll take it. I’m really pleased with how the week went.”

Ledecky will now prepare for the Olympics next summer, where she can further cement herself as one of the greatest swimmers of all-time. Ledecky is currently has seven gold medals, two shy of second place in Olympic history. She also has 10 total medals, two shy of second place in swimming.

Ledecky has a good chance to be the best female swimmer of all-time, as everyone continues to chase Michael Phelps’s incredible 23 gold medals at the Olympics, and 28 total Olympic medals.

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