Ariarne Titmus hailed the women’s 800-metre freestyle final as the most incredible race she’s ever seen, a sentiment echoed by Ian Thorpe and Giaan Rooney, who deemed it “extraordinary.” On a thrilling night during the world championships, American swimming superstar Katie Ledecky secured her seventh gold medal in the event, reaffirming her dominance in the 800m freestyle.
However, this particular race was not a mere display of superiority; it was highly competitive, positioned as the main event of the Singapore championships and anticipated as a clash between Ledecky and Canadian sensation, Summer McIntosh. What surprised spectators was the remarkable performance by Australia’s Lani Pallister, who narrowly missed out on gold and took home a stunning silver medal instead.
Ledecky clinched victory with a time of 8:05.62, setting a new world championship record. Pallister finished strong at 8:05.98, just 0.36 seconds behind, while McIntosh secured the bronze with a time of 8:07.29, ending her quest for a fifth gold at this event.
Titmus voiced her admiration shortly after the race, stating it was the best 800m freestyle she had ever watched, a view that Thorpe agreed with wholeheartedly. Pallister’s performance was particularly impressive, as she improved her personal best by nearly five seconds.
This race will be remembered not just for Ledecky’s win, but for the fierce competition that unfolded, showcasing the emerging talent of Pallister and the resilience of McIntosh.