Katie Ledecky’s bid to win six gold medals at the world championships ended Wednesday when she was beaten in the 200-meter freestyle.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Katie Ledecky’s bid to win six gold medals at the world championships ended Wednesday when she was beaten in the 200-meter freestyle by Italy’s Federica Pellegrini.
Ledecky settled for the silver medal, tying for second with Australia’s Emma McKeon.
McKeon got off to a blazing start, but Ledecky was right on her shoulder as they made the final flip. Then, suddenly, Pellegrini surged to the front and touched first in 1 minute 54.73 seconds.
Ledecky and McKeon finished in 1: 55.18.
It was a stunning setback for Ledecky, who was a perfect 12 for 12 over the last three world championships. She already won three golds in Budapest. The silver means she won’ t match Missy Franklin’s female record of six gold medals at the 2013 worlds.
