Katie Ledecky clocks second fastest 1,500m freestyle in history
Ledecky dominates TYR Pro Series heats with a near-record time in Fort Lauderdale.
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| Katie Ledecky reacts after finishing the first heat of the women’s 1500-meter freestyle at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center on April 30, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
Katie Ledecky made a powerful return to elite competition by posting the second fastest time ever in the women’s 1,500m freestyle, sending a clear signal that she remains the dominant force in distance swimming. Competing in the TYR Pro Series in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Ledecky stopped the clock at 15 minutes 24.51 seconds—just four seconds shy of her own world record set in 2018.
The remarkable performance immediately placed Katie Ledecky 1,500m freestyle back in the spotlight, despite this being her first appearance in a major event since the Paris Olympics last year. Ledecky, 28, showed no signs of rust or decline, instead delivering a time more than 39 seconds faster than her closest competitor in the heats, Jillian Cox.
Ledecky proves her legacy isn't fading
Though she already boasts nine Olympic gold medals and countless world titles, Ledecky seems far from finished. Her dominance in long-distance freestyle remains unmatched. In fact, following Wednesday's swim, she now owns the 22 fastest performances ever recorded in the 1,500m freestyle. No other swimmer has come close to such consistency or supremacy in this grueling event.
The last time anyone defeated her in the 1,500m freestyle was in 2010—when she was just 13 years old. Since then, Ledecky has rewritten the history books, one swim at a time. Wednesday’s time was not only a statement of intent for the 2024 season but also an indication of what may lie ahead as she eyes the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I don’t feel like I’m close to being finished in the sport yet,” she said following her win in Paris last August. “All the U.S. athletes are thinking about how cool that could be in Los Angeles having the home crowd. That would be amazing to be able to compete there.”
Faster than gold in Paris
Ledecky’s time in Fort Lauderdale was nearly five seconds faster than the time she posted to win gold in Paris last year, showing marked improvement despite the lack of recent competition. At a time when many athletes of her age begin to consider winding down their careers, Ledecky appears to be doubling down on her ambitions.
Her smooth, commanding performance at the TYR Pro Series underlined her unparalleled stamina and technique in the water. The race wasn't even close—Jillian Cox, her nearest challenger, trailed more than half a minute behind.
Such dominance, even in a heat rather than a final, is rare and speaks volumes about her preparation, mindset, and enduring physical peak. While the meet itself might not carry the prestige of the Olympics or World Championships, Ledecky’s approach shows she treats every race as an opportunity to sharpen her edge.
Preparation for Paris and beyond
With the Paris Games already behind her and her focus shifting towards LA 2028, Ledecky’s Wednesday swim could be seen as the early stages of a new four-year Olympic cycle. But unlike other athletes using smaller meets purely for conditioning or recovery, Ledecky continues to push boundaries with every outing.
Her swim also serves as a timely reminder to younger competitors and rising stars that catching her in the 1,500m remains a monumental challenge. Despite newer names entering the scene, including Jillian Cox and Katie Grimes, none have come close to dethroning the queen of distance swimming.
Ledecky has always preferred to let her performances do the talking, and this swim—achieved with minimal fanfare and maximum efficiency—was the latest in a long line of statements.
A living legend with eyes on LA
At 28, Katie Ledecky shows no signs of losing her competitive fire. With the 1,500m freestyle added to the women’s Olympic program only in Tokyo 2021, the event is still relatively new at that level. But for Ledecky, who was already in a class of her own before its inclusion, it has provided yet another podium to conquer.
The upcoming season could see her continue to test her limits in this and other events. Though the 400m and 800m freestyle are also part of her usual program, the 1,500m remains the event most synonymous with her name. Her smooth, consistent pacing and ability to stay mentally sharp through 30 grueling laps have made her nearly unbeatable.
Can the world record fall again?
Ledecky’s world record of 15:20.48, set in 2018, still stands as the gold standard in the sport. Yet her 15:24.51 on Wednesday was perhaps her clearest signal yet that she is still within striking distance of that historic swim. It’s worth noting that she swam this time in a preliminary heat—leaving open the possibility of an even faster performance in a final or at a major championship.
“I was just trying to see where I’m at,” Ledecky said modestly after the race. “It feels good to be back in the water at this level.”
With the U.S. Olympic Trials looming and the international swimming calendar heating up, Ledecky’s timing could not be better. Her competitors have been warned: the queen of distance is not done yet.
Few athletes in any sport can claim the kind of long-term dominance that Katie Ledecky has maintained. Her latest swim only adds to a legacy already bursting with milestones. More importantly, it demonstrates that greatness isn’t just about past accolades, but about the will to keep going—even when you’ve already done it all.
For fans, the performance reignites the anticipation of watching her chase more gold and possibly set another world record. For rivals, it’s another challenge to keep up with a legend still in motion.
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