Katie Ledecky Wins Seventh 800m World Title in Singapore

Katie Ledecky secured her seventh world title in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, reinforcing her dominance in the event with a championship record time of 8:05.62. This victory marked her 23rd world title, bringing her closer to Michael Phelps’ record of 26, while extending her unbeaten streak in the 800m at global finals since 2012. Ledecky faced strong competition from Canada’s Summer McIntosh and Australia’s Lani Pallister, who finished third and second respectively, with McIntosh unable to maintain her pace in the final meters despite previously leading. The race was highly competitive, featuring three of the fastest women in history in the event, and highlighted Ledecky’s unmatched ability to find a decisive surge in the closing stages. McIntosh’s hopes of matching Phelps’ record for most individual golds at a single world championships were dashed with this result. Ledecky described the race as her fastest at a World Championships and emphasized enjoying the moment, underscoring her status as the greatest female distance swimmer in history.