Ledecky won with a time of 8:05.62, both a world championships record and the fourth fastest time in the history of the 800m free. Pallister wasn't far behind (8:05.98), with McIntosh claiming bronze (8:07.29).

In other events, Gretchen Walsh became the first American woman to ever win gold at the world championships in the 50m butterfly. Regan Smith and Claire Curzan took silver and bronze, respectively, in the women's 200m backstroke. Jack Alexy's bronze in the men's 50 freestyle was his third medal of the 2025 world championships.

American star Katie Ledecky won her seventh world title in the women’s 800-meter freestyle on Saturday, fending off the challenges of Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh and Australia’s Lani Pallister.