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AUSTIN – Katie Ledecky, the reigning Swimming World World Swimmer of the Year, continues to astonish as she nearly broke her 800-meter free world record in January at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Austin.
Ledecky, who clocked an 8:11.21, just missing her 8:11.00 from last year, stunned the media when she explained that the swim didn’t really hurt and she wished she’d put just a bit more to get the record.
Ledecky explains that, for her, the only swims that really hurt at the ones that she doesn’t swim right. She’s reached that level where she’s found all the right ingredients to nearly effortlessly cut through the water at amazing speed.
Ledecky also talked about how her time was a bit surprising considering she hasn’t trained long course since her amazing Pan Pacific Championships last summer.
Katie Ledecky Hasn’t Trained Long Course Since Last Summer
Like Missy, Katie is refreshingly down to earth, and it’s great that, like Missy also, she enjoys swimming for her high school team and will not turn pro right away after graduating.