Katie Ledecky Claims Victory In 200 Free; Adds Second Individual Gold Medal

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Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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Women’s 200 Free:

A loaded field of women entered the pool deck for finals of the women’s 200 free. Katie Ledecky of the USA, Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden, and Emma McKeon of Australia battled from the very beginning for victory. Ledecky made her move on the third length powering ahead of the competition and fending off Sjostrom, stopping the clock at a swift 1:53.73.

Ledecky’s gold medal puts her two-third of the way to a sleep of the 200-400-800 freestyles, a feat that hasn’t been done since Debbie Meyer did it in 1968. The 200 was undoubtedly the toughest of the three, as Ledecky won gold in the 400 by more than five seconds and is seeded

Despite gaining on Ledecky on the final 50, Sjostrom was unable to catch her and settled for the silver with a time of 1:54.08.

Australia’s McKeon moved up from one of the outside lanes to claim the bronze with a time of 1:54.92. The medal was Australia’s first since the men’s 400 free relay team took the bronze Sunday night.

World record holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy finished in fourth, just outside of the podium, with a time of 1:55.18. Pellegrini has won a medal in this event in each of the past five World Championships, but her last Olympic medal came when she won gold in 2008.

China’s Shen Duo and Australia’s Bronte Barratt finished right on Pellegrini’s feet with matching times of 1:55.25.

Sweden’s Michelle Coleman picked up seventh with a time of 1:56.27, just ahead of France’s Charlotte Bonnet (1:56.29).

Full results from tonight’s semifinals and finals are available here.

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