Kate Douglass Sets New 50m Freestyle World Record, Ledecky Falls Short in 800m

At the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, the United States’ distance freestyle legend Katie Ledecky was unexpectedly overtaken in the women’s 200‑meter freestyle by Australian swimmer Lani Pallister. Pallister finished the race in 1:55.95, a time that eclipsed Ledecky’s 1:56.01 and secured the gold medal for Australia. The result surprised many, as Ledecky had been the pre‑race favorite and had dominated the distance events for years.

In the same championships,