Nobody swims the 1500m freestyle better than Katie Ledecky. The American turned in yet another dominant performance Tuesday, winning the event at the World Aquatics Championships with one of her best times.
Ledecky finished the race in 15:26:44. That was five seconds better than Simona Quadarella, who took silver Tuesday. Lani Pallister finished third.
Ledecky trailed Pallister early in the event, but got stronger as the race went on. Ledecky eventually surged into the lead, paving the way for her victory. While it wasn’t a historic performance, Ledecky did post the fifth-fastest time ever in the 1500m freestyle. She’s been so dominant in the event that she owns all five of the top-5 fastest times in the 1500m freestyle. Ledecky already held the fifth-fastest time in the event, but her performance Tuesday exceeded her previous top-5 time.
It marks yet another excellent performance for Ledecky, who is already recognized as one of the best swimmers in Olympics history. She owns 14 total Olympic medals, including nine golds. Her first Olympic gold medal came back in 2012, when she won the 800m freestyle. She took home two golds at the 2024 Olympics, winning the 800m freestyle again and grabbing the 1500m freestyle win. Ledecky also won the 1500m freestyle event at the 2020 Games.
She’s been even more dominant in the event at the World Championships. Tuesday marks the sixth time she’s won the 1500m freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships.
Ledecky’s win marks yet another turnaround for Team USA after a slow start at the World Championships. Multiple members of the squad pulled out of early events, or turned in disappointing results, due to acute gastroenteritis. Gretchen Walsh broke through Monday, winning the 100m butterfly to give Team USA its first swimming gold medal at the championships in 2025.
Ledecky has at least one more individual event to go at the 2025 World Championships and it’s a big one. Ledecky will face off against Summer McIntosh in the 800m freestyle, which is scheduled for Saturday. The prospect of McIntosh and Ledecky going head-to-head should ensure the 800m freestyle is one of the best events at the entire 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
