The United States was in a tussle with China in the final of the women’s 800 free relay, but Katie Ledecky anchored with a 1:54.02 to win the fourth straight world title for the US in the relay at the World Championships. Leah Smith (1:55.97), Mallory Comerford (1:56.92), Melanie Margalis (1:56.48) and Ledecky swam a 7:43.39 to win the gold medal.
The Americans had some pressure from China as they finished with the silver medal at 7:44.96. Ai Yanhan (1:56.62), Liu Zixuan (1:56.34), Zhang Yuhan (1:56.54) and Li Bingjie (1:55.46) swam for the Chinese and upgrade their bronze from the 2015 Worlds with a silver here in Budapest.
Australia held off Russia for bronze as Madison Wilson (1:57.33), Emma McKeon (1:56.26), Kotuku Ngawati (1:58.31) and Ariarne Titmus (1:56.61) swam for the Aussies as they held off Russia with a 7:48.51. Russia was fourth with 7:48.59.
Japan (7:50.43), Hungary (7:51.33), Netherlands (7:54.29) and Canada (7:55.57) also competed in the championship final.
Other big splits in the field were from Netherlands’ Femke Heemskerk (1:55.46), Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu (1:56.28) and Russia’s lead-off Veronika Popova (1:55.95).
The United States has now won seven of the last eight world titles in the relay.
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Congratulations Katie
Good work, Katie!! Congratulations!