Ledecky breaks world record in women’s 800m freestyle at World Cup meet | CBC Sports

Katie Ledecky broke her second world record in just over a week on Saturday.

The American Olympic star swam to a world record of seven minutes, 57.42 seconds in the women’s 800-metre freestyle at a FINA Swimming World Cup meet in Indianapolis.

The previous record of 7:59.34 by Spain’s Mireia Belmonte had stood since 2013.

The 10-time Olympic medallist won by nearly 10 seconds over Canadian silver medallist Summer McIntosh. Ledecky earned a $10,000 US bonus.

Ledecky, who earned her third straight Olympic gold in the 800m freestyle in Tokyo last year, smashed the short-course world record in the 1,500 metres freestyle by nearly 10 seconds last Saturday in Toronto (15:08.24).

“I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself after last week,” Ledecky said. “Having the fans here cheering me on meant a lot.”

WATCH | Ledecky smashes women’s 1,500m freestyle world record:

Katie Ledecky annihilates 1,500m freestyle world record by almost 10 seconds

American Katie Ledecky wins gold in the women’s 1,500m freestyle with a world record time of 15:08.24, breaking of Sarah Kohler‘s previous mark of 15:18.01

Ledecky’s latest world record was her 17th since 2013, her second in short course (25-metre pool) and second set in Indianapolis. She set the world record in long course (50-metre pool) in the 1,500 freestyle with a time of 15:20.48 in this natatorium on May 16, 2018.

Ledecky has seven Olympic gold medals and 19 world championship golds, both the most by a female swimmer.