In the World Aquatics Championships, Katie Ledecky secured the gold medal in the 800m freestyle event, outperforming her competitor Summer McIntosh.
Head-to-Head Rivalry Highlights as Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky Compete in the Women's 800m Freestyle at the 2025 World Swimming Championships
Summer McIntosh, the Canadian swimming sensation, was attempting to equal Michael Phelps' record of winning five gold medals at a single world championship. With three gold medals already under her belt, McIntosh had a chance to make history in the women's 800m freestyle.
However, the stage was set for a highly anticipated head-to-head rivalry between McIntosh and Katie Ledecky, the American swimming superstar. Ledecky, who had already won the 1,500m earlier in the competition, was aiming to secure her seventh straight full World Championship title in the 800m freestyle.
In an electrifying race on August 2, Ledecky emerged victorious, finishing with a championship-record time of 8:05.62. McIntosh pushed Ledecky all the way but ultimately could not match her final lap speed. Ledecky led for almost the entire race, with McIntosh briefly edging in front with about 100m to go, only to be overtaken in the final stretch.
Lani Pallister, another formidable competitor, finished second, just 0.36 seconds slower than Ledecky. McIntosh rounded out the podium in third, another 1.31 seconds back.
Ledecky's victory in the 800m freestyle marks her second gold medal at the current championship and brings her total career world titles to 23. McIntosh's gold medals were won in the 200m butterfly, 400m freestyle, and 200m medley.
With this victory, Ledecky once again demonstrated her dominance over longer distances, while McIntosh solidified her status as a rising star who is quickly closing the gap and challenging Ledecky's dominance.
In an earlier race this week, McIntosh had already made her mark, emerging victorious in the 400m freestyle. Team USA also set a new world record in the mixed 4x100-meter freestyle relay, finishing in 3:18.48.
As the competition comes to a close, McIntosh will have another opportunity to add to her gold medal tally in the 400m individual medley on Sunday. The swimming world eagerly awaits to see if she can add to her impressive haul and potentially equal or surpass Phelps' record.
Sports fans watched an intense rivalry unfold as Summer McIntosh and Katie Ledecky competed in the women's 800m freestyle at the 2025 World Swimming Championships. Despite McIntosh's impressive performance in the event, ultimately Ledecky clinched the victory, reinforcing her dominance in longer distances while McIntosh maintained her status as a promising competitor.
