Katie Ledecky Wins 800M Freestyle At 2025 World Championships, Summer McIntosh 3rd

Katie Ledecky remains the queen of the 800m freestyle.

The 28-year-old superstar yet again claimed the event at the swimming world championships in Singapore on Sunday, besting Australia's Lani Pallister and Canada's Summer McIntosh.

Ledecky won with a time of 8:05.62, both a world championships record and the fourth fastest time in the history of the 800m free. Pallister wasn't far behind (8:05.98), with McIntosh claiming bronze (8:07.29).

"That last 100 was pretty stressful," Ledecky said after the race. "You don't want to push it too early. ... I was just putting everything I had into it."

The 18-year-old McIntosh appears to be the next big star in the sport, and Sunday's matchup between her and Ledecky—who has also won four gold medals in the event at the Olympics—received top billing, a potential changing-of-the-guard moment in the sport. Turns out the old guard isn't ready to concede the crown just yet.

"I was really happy, obviously," Ledecky said. "The fastest I've ever been at a worlds. It's been a really great season."