Katie Ledecky Wins Seventh 800m World Title with Championship Record

Katie Ledecky continued her dominance in the 800m freestyle by winning her seventh world title at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, setting a championship record of 8:05.62. She narrowly defeated Australia's Lani Pallister, who set an Oceania record, and Canada's Summer McIntosh, who finished third despite her strong performance and recent rapid improvements. McIntosh, an 18-year-old prodigy aiming for a historic five gold medals at the meet, had previously defeated Ledecky in a 400m freestyle race but could not overcome her in the 800m final. Ledecky attributed her win to experience and enjoying the competition, highlighting a tactical race where she maintained a steady lead and surged ahead in the final meters. The race was highly anticipated as a clash between the established champion and rising star, drawing a sold-out crowd and showcasing the future generation of swimmers. This victory also helped revitalize Team USA's momentum amid challenges during the championships, which included a world record in the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay.