FUKUOKA – Katie Ledecky won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500m freestyle in dominating fashion at the World Aquatics Championships, on a day when her compatriot Ryan Murphy triumphed in the men’s 100m backstroke.
Ledecky led all of Tuesday’s race, winning in 15 minutes and 26.27 seconds. The win marked her 15th singles title at the World Championship, matching Michael Phelps’ mark.
Ledecky smashed the field in an event she hasn’t lost at the World Cup or Olympics in more than a decade. Her fifth victory in the 1,500m event equaled the record for most world victories in a single event.
Italy’s Simona Quadarella finished 17 seconds behind Ledecky in 15:43.31, third was Li Bingjie of China in 15:45.71.
Ledecky will compete in Saturday’s 800cc race as she aims to become the only person to win six world titles in the same event.
Murphy passed world record holder Thomas Ceccon of Italy in the last 20 meters of the 100-meter backstroke, narrowly winning with a 52.22. Ceccon took silver in 52.27, with Hunter Armstrong of the USA third in 52.58.
Murphy will be the favorite in the 200cc race later in the world championship.
Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania took gold in the women’s 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:04.62, ahead of Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa and third-placed Lydia Jacoby of the USA
Kaylee McKeown of Australia won the women’s 100m backstroke with 57.53, beating Regan Smith of the United States by 0.25 and her compatriot Katharine Berkoff, who placed third with 58.25.
Matthew Richards and Tom Dean of Great Britain finished the men’s 200m freestyle 1-2 in a big upset, while Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea took third place.
David Popovici of Romania, last year’s World Champion, was considered the favorite and led until he slacked off in the final 15 meters when Richards, Dean and Hwang all passed, denying fourth-placed Popovici a place on the podium.
Richards won gold in 1:44.30.
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