Here is Washington Post sportswriter Dave Sheinin:
By the last few lengths of the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle Tuesday at the World Aquatic Championships, Katie Ledecky was swimming against only the clock and the ghost of her younger self. In the pool in Fukuoka, Japan, her massive lead over seven world-class opponents had grown so wide, she had crisscrossed the field, a wrong-way driver in the middle of an eight-lane highway.
But shortly after touching in 15 minutes 26.27 seconds, as she hung on the wall and waited for the others to finish, Ledecky threw her right fist into the water. Her victory Tuesday added to her gold medal haul and brought with it a piece of history, but for Ledecky, her time represented the thing that matters most, the thing that keeps her in the pool at age 26: progress.
The win, by more than 17 seconds over silver medalist Simona Quadarella of Italy (15:43.31), brought the 15th individual gold medal of Ledecky’s career at Worlds, tying Michael Phelps for the most in history. And it was her 20th gold overall (including relays), which trails only Phelps (26). She will have one more chance to break the tie with Phelps for individual golds on Saturday in the 800 freestyle, in which she will be the overwhelming favorite, plus an additional chance for gold in Thursday’s 4 x 200 free relay.
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