Ledecky Shatters 800m Freestyle World Record

FORT LAUDERDALE: In a spectacular display of athleticism, American swimming sensation Katie Ledecky etched her name further into the record books at the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, eclipsing her own world record in the 800-meter freestyle event.

This incredible achievement underscores her exceptional condition as she prepares for the World Championships scheduled for Singapore this July.

Ledecky stopped the clock at an astounding 8 minutes and 4.12 seconds, improving upon her previous mark of 8:04.79, which she set during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Many believed that previous record would endure for the remainder of her career.

The 28-year-old, visibly moved by her accomplishment, celebrated by emphatically hitting the water.

“This swim holds immense significance for me. I’ve dedicated myself to regaining this level of performance,” Ledecky stated following her race, alluding to her dedicated pursuit to return to peak form.

“Achieving this speed prior to the world championships provides a substantial boost to my confidence,” she elaborated.

Jillian Cox secured the second position with a time of 8:23.58, while Claire Weinstein claimed third place in 8:26.06.

This occasion marks the sixth instance of Ledecky breaking the 800m world record. She initially seized the record from Great Britain’s Rebecca Adlington back in 2013.

Her recent record concludes a remarkable week, during which she also achieved her second-fastest time in the 400m freestyle in the last nine years. Additionally, she posted the second-fastest 1500m freestyle time in history just days before.

In other events, Gretchen Walsh delivered a stunning performance, twice breaking the 100m butterfly world record within a single day.

She initially recorded a time of 55.09 seconds during the preliminary rounds, surpassing her previous personal best. She then followed up with an extraordinary 54.60 seconds in the final, making history as the first woman to break the 55-second barrier in this event.

Torri Huske finished second with a time of 56.59 seconds.

Meanwhile, France’s Olympic champion Léon Marchand, despite his four gold medals at the Paris Games, concluded his Fort Lauderdale appearance without a victory. He concluded with a second-place result in the 200m individual medley, trailing Shaine Casas.