Ledecky breaks 800 m record, claims fifth world gold

AFP: Katie Ledecky broke her own 800 m freestyle world record on Saturday (8 August) by claiming a historic fifth gold medal at the world swimming championships to complete her sweep of freestyle titles.

Ledecky, 18, clocked eight minutes, 07.39 seconds to shave 2.61secs off the record she set last year and win gold with New Zealand’s Lauren Boyle setting a new Oceania record of 8:17.65 to take silver at 10.26 back. Britain’s Jaz Carlin came home with bronze at 10.76.

Having twice lowered her 1500 m time in Kazan, this is the third time Ledecky of the USA has broken a world record in Kazan and the 10th time in her career. She is the first swimmer to win the freestyle sweep of 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 m world titles, while she also won gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay. She holds the hat-trick of world records in the 400, 800 and 1,500 m freestyle, despite having only graduated from high school recently and has yet to get her driving licence. Having won four gold medals at the Barcelona world championships two years ago, Ledecky has gone one better in Kazan by adding the 200 m crown to her haul.