via Getty
FUKUOKA, JAPAN – JULY 29: Katie Ledecky of United States is seen with her gold medal from the Women’s 800m Freestyle final on day seven of the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on July 29, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
via Getty
FUKUOKA, JAPAN – JULY 29: Katie Ledecky of United States is seen with her gold medal from the Women’s 800m Freestyle final on day seven of the Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships at Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on July 29, 2023 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The US Open Swimming Championships have given a multitude of memories to Katie Ledecky. In her school swimming career, Katie made her first impression at the US Open Swimming Championship. In 2016, she cleared the 500-yard freestyle and surpassed the initial meet record at the US Open Swimming. This year came as no exception. Rather, this year she had to face tough competition from the likes of Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.
However, in the US Open Swimming Championship 2023, Katie Ledecky‘s principal opponent appeared to be Summer McIntosh. In the 400m final, she lost the medal to the Canadian swimming prodigy. Even after that, she didn’t come out empty-handed in the championship.
Katie Ledecky wins 1500m free in the US Open Swimming Championship
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In the latest update from the 2023 US Open Swimming Championship, reigning world champion Katie Ledecky has won the 1500m freestyle event. Nullifying the double threats from Paige Madden and Leah Smith, the 26-year-old US swimmer clocked 15:46.38 to earn another 1500m free in her coveted winning list.
The win marked Ledecky’s double gold victory as she clinched her first gold at the 800m freestyle on day 1 of the championships. SwimSwam Live posted the victory news with the caption, “To nobody’s surprise, Katie Ledecky wins the women’s 1500 free at the…”
To nobody's surprise, Katie Ledecky wins the women's 1500 free at the #ToyotaUSOpen
🥇 Katie Ledecky — 15:46.38
🥈 Paige Madden — 16:11.26
🥉 Leah Smith — 16:15.45— SwimSwam Live (@SwimSwamLive) December 2, 2023
In the Pan American Championships in Chile this year, Paige Maiden made a record in the 400m free. Since then, the 23-year-old was thought to pose a strong challenge against Katie. However, the 1-minute gap was not a justification for that.
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Katie Ledecky has won 800m in the championship this year
Previously, Katie Ledecky had to nullify Paige Madden’s challenge in the US Open Swimming Championship this year to earn the gold. It was an 800m free event, that took place on November 29. In Greensboro that evening, the audience went awestruck after watching the finesse of the reigning champion.
Read more: 7-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky Breaks Her Own Record at Regional Swimming Meet
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On that day as well, Katie Ledecky held on to almost nothing to win the event, clocking 8:15.19. That was almost 15 seconds earlier than that of Paige Madden. From the third place holder, Jillian Cox, it was out of bounds. Since the initial point, Katie Ledecky maintained a distance of 100m and the challengers couldn’t overcome that at any point. After getting inches closer to her Olympic dream, Katie Ledecky would now look to the next meet to make her contention stronger.
Watch this story: Olympic Legends Simone Phelps, Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky Hangout With Gold Medals Around Their Neck
