Katie Ledecky continued her stunning start to the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia on Monday by breaking her own world record in the 1,500-meter freestyle.
The 18-year-old American marked the opening day of competition in the pool with a gold medal and championship record in the 400 freestyle on Sunday, and maintained her fine form less than 24 hours later.
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Ledecky set off at a ferocious pace in her preliminary heat ahead of Tuesday's final and finished 0.65 seconds inside her previous best, eventually touching the wall in 15 minutes, 27.71 seconds. Jessica Ashwood of Australia finished second, 28.81 seconds behind Ledecky.
“I’m in quite a bit of shock right now,” the Maryland native said, via the Washington Post. “It’s probably one of the coolest world records I’ve broken. Each one is really unique, but just sort of how relaxed I was and how calm. I think breaking that record is just testament to the work I’ve put in and the shape I’m in right now.”