With Improved Health, Katie Ledecky Advances to Final of 800 Freestyle; Leah Smith Qualifies First

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World Swimming Championships (Katie Ledecky)

Gwangju 2019

Day Six Heats (Women’s 800 Freestyle)

One night after returning from illness to help the United States to a silver medal in the 4×200 freestyle relay, Katie Ledecky resumed her individual program at the World Champs by qualifying as the second seed for the final of the 800 freestyle. The three-time defending champion in the event, Ledecky was timed in 8:17.42.

After watching Australia’s Ariarne Titmus blow by her on the closing lap of the 400 freestyle to grab gold, Ledecky barely completed her prelim of the 1500 freestyle before it was announced that Ledecky was withdrawing from the 200 freestyle and, eventually, the final of the mile. An illness had sapped Ledecky of any energy and left her to be tended to by the USA Swimming medical staff. Initially, it was uncertain if Ledecky would return to action in Gwangju.

By Thursday night, however, Ledecky was feeling good enough to race. Handling the second leg of the United States’ 4×200 freestyle relay, Ledecky produced a split of 1:54.61 and propelled the Americans under the world record in 7:41.87. The only problem for Team USA was the fact that Australia went even faster, at 7:41.50. Still, Ledecky’s contribution proved she was capable of giving the 800 free a go. With a day to recover from her prelim, expect Ledecky to be even stronger for the final.

American Leah Smith took the top seed in 8:17.23 while Titmus was third in 8:19.43. Smith was the bronze medalist in the 400 free while Titmus added a silver medal in the 200 freestyle to her victory in the 400 freestyle. The gold medalist in the 1500 freestyle, Italy’s Simona Quadarella (8:20.86) was fourth in the semifinals, followed by China’s Wang Jianjiahe (8:20.91).

Finalists

1. Leah Smith, United States 8:17.23
2. Katie Ledecky, United States 8:17.42
3. Ariarne Titmus, Australia 8:19.43
4. Simona Quadarella, Italy 8:20.86
5. Wang Jianjiahe, China 8:20.91
6. Sarah Kohler, Germany 8:22.95
7. Mireia Belmonte, Spain 8:28.22
8. Kiah Melverton, Australia 8:29.70

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Alberta Haynes-Carlson

4 years ago

Go get em Ledecky!

Proteeti Sinha

4 years ago

Go Katie! Rooting for you!!

Debbie Sheehan

4 years ago

Glad to hear that Katie is healthy again.