Katie Ledecky’s dominance knows no bounds. By winning the 800 meter freestyle Saturday at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Ledecky became the first swimmer ever to win six world titles in the same event. She also won her 16th individual swimming world title, surpassing Michael Phelps, for the all-time record for women and men.
Ledecky, 26, won the event in a time of 8:08.87. She beat second-place finisher, Li Bingjie of China, by almost 5 seconds.
The last time the Bethesda native lost in the 800 meter freestyle was 13 years ago at an event at the University of Maryland — when she was 13.
UNPRECEDENTED!
Katie Ledecky has broken Michael Phelps’s record with her 16th career individual swimming world title! 🥇pic.twitter.com/42xMTPrXLC
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 29, 2023
This is cool: the last time Katie Ledecky lost an 800 freestyle was July 2010 at a meet at the University of Maryland. She was 13. Thanks for the result sheet, @mdledecky. pic.twitter.com/DyKCUHRTNT
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) July 29, 2023
