Katie Ledecky Wins Third Straight 800 Free World Title; Leah Smith Bronze

Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA

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Katie Ledecky became the first female swimmer to win the 800 free at the World Championships three times. Ledecky won her third straight world title in the event on Saturday at the FINA World Championships in Budapest with an 8:12.68 for gold. China’s Li Bingjie (8:15.46) broke the Asian Record for the silver medal as the fifteen-year-old picks up her second medal of the meet after getting bronze in the 400. American Leah Smith picked up the bronze with an 8:17.22 for her best time.

Spain’s Mireia Belmonte (8:23.30), Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas (8:24.41), China’s Zhang Yuhan (8:26.06), Italy’s Simona Quadarella (8:26.50) and Great Britain’s Holly Hibbott (8:38.63) also competed in the championship final.

Ledecky is the first to win three straight as Kate Ziegler (2005, 2007), Hannah Stockbauer (2001, 2003) and Janet Evans (1991, 1994) all won two straight but never three.

Ledecky interview:

Smith interview:

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Michael Maloney

6 years ago

This almost makes me want to cry…..5 golds and a silver and this is her bad year…..somethings up…she looked sad and unhappy the entire meet….I pray she has a good August off before returning to Stanford……psst get ready Meehan that phone calls coming from usa swimming about whats up with Katie…

Adrian Hyland

6 years ago

Rebecca Adlington, outstanding achievements in the pool, but out of it you’re an embarrassment to yourself, your sport, the BBC & the licence payers! You call yourself a pundit…the classy, articulate, knowledgeable Mark Foster (& Helen Skelton) beside you looked embarrassed to be any part of your venomous disdainful rant aimed at the outstanding British talent Holly Hibbott, in her first World Championships! Surely you should be encouraging a 17 year old (who by the way is quicker than you were at the same age!) or worst case scenario, offering some constructive criticism!?! But all you offered up was a complete character assassination of the young lady. It was nasty, spiteful, distasteful, outrageous and you should make a public apology live on air tonight, or alternatively offer your resignation. Of all people you should know a lot better, people in glass houses…..