Home/Swimming

For Katie Ledecky, the love affair with the 1500m freestyle transcends with time. The swimming sovereign showcased her most easing flapping in the event, earning the coveted victories throughout the time. All the consecutive phenomenal timings in the discipline added feathers to her crown. The third-best timing in the slot came just months before, in the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka. It was Katie Ledecky’s 20th gold medal in the long-course World Championships. So, the 26-year-old now prefers records more than her medal-earning capability. 

The TYR Pro Swim Series cultivates a backyard that urges the GOAT swimmer. Katie Ledecky’s stint in the mythical championship attested to that. 

Katie Ledecky intrigues the TYR Pro Swim Series every time 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The 2017-18 season was Katie Ledecky’s final year in the NCAA pools. Before stepping in that year, the 1500m free reigning world champion already had 7 Olympic medals in earning. So that last season ended on that lofty note as well, with three NCAA records. So eventually, that led Katie to earn an entry into the TYR Pro Swim Series 2018 in Indianapolis. The swimming GOAT did what she does best, usurping records. That time, she decimated her world record in the 1500m free, made in 2015. As the usaswimming. org dictates, the world record remains clocking, 15:20.48. Moreover, in the 400m free LC final A, she stood in top position defeating the phenom, Leah Smith. In the 800m free LC, the result was the same. 

via Getty

Next year, in Knoxville, Katie Ledecky wrapped up the contest by winning 200m free, 400m IM, 400M free, and the favorite 1500m free. The 2020 and 2021 occasions in Des Moines and San Antonio also faced the same aura as the swimmer. However, in 2020, she missed the 800m free event, only to come back stronger next year. In 2021 and 2022, Katie showed a mixed performance by claiming main events, even after facing some issues in the prelims. However, the 2023 forayed into the fans’ memory, especially as ‌some newcomers bamboozled the TYR Pro Swim Series then. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The hearty 2023

Last year, the TYR Pro Swim Series watched the duo Bella Sims and Katie Grimes from Sandpipers. Eventually, Katie Grimes humbled the veteran Gator in the 400m IM. However, in the 400m free, Katie Ledecky inflicted her best run to topple the duos from the Nevada Sandpipers. Then the obvious 1500m free came and the 10x Olympic medalist decimates Grimes by a large margin to earn the top spot. 

Read more: 5 Big US Swimming Stars to Watch Out for at TYR Pro Series 2024

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Now on the eve of another TYR Pro Swim Series, the veteran doesn’t miss a single free event to lock her entry. Moreover, the 400m IM remains on the list as well. But as it stands, her biggest rival in recent times, teenage Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh, would miss most of the contentions. But the 200m free would pose a mouthwatering contest between the two spearheads. 

Watch this story: Olympic Legends Simone Phelps, Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky Hangout With Gold Medals Around Their Neck