American Ledecky sweeps to fourth 1,500m freestyle world title

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AFP) - Katie Ledecky reclaimed the 1,500m women's freestyle title at the World Swimming Championships in imperious style in Budapest on Monday, finishing almost 15 seconds ahead of her closest pursuer.

She touched in 15min 30.15sec. Fellow American Katie Grimes finished 14.74sec behind with Australian Lani Pallister at 18.81.

Ledecky had won three straight world titles in the event before illness forced her to scratch from the 2019 final in Gwangju, South Korea. She rebounded to win gold in the Tokyo Olympics.