Katie Ledecky Ties Swimming Great Michael Phelps' Mark for Individual World Titles

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Since her Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games as a 15-year-old, Katie Ledecky has thrived in international swimming competitions.

For Ledecky, the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is providing an opportunity to put her magnificent career in the proper context. The 26-year-old American, widely recognized as the greatest female swimmer of all time, tied her compatriot Michael Phelps' record for most individual world titles (15) on Tuesday, July 25 in Fukuoka.

In typical fashion, Ledecky obliterated the competition, winning the women's 1,500-meter freestyle final in 15 minutes, 26.27 seconds at Marine Messe Fukuoka. Italy's Simona Quadarella finished second in 15:43.31.

How did Ledecky react to her latest glorious achievement in the pool?

"I feel good. It hurts a lot, but I am really happy with the outcome," Ledecky said after the race.

She added, "I am just having a lot of fun this week. Thank you to everyone in Japan for putting on a great world championships and showing up and supporting all of us."

Katie Ledecky Reflects on Her Success

What's the key to Ledecky's sustained excellence over the years, including 10 Olympic medals (seven golds)?

"The secret is just a lot of hard work and having really great people around me, including my coaches over the last 10-plus years," Ledecky told reporters in Fukuoka. "Really since I started swimming when I was 6. They have been incredible and also my teammates. I have really great teammates right now that push me everyday and I could not do it without them."

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.