American swimmer Ledecky wins second gold at 2018 Pan Pacs in Tokyo

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Katie Ledecky of the US on Saturday claimed gold in the women’s 400m freestyle event at the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the biggest meet of the year for countries bordering the Pacific, and a dry run for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The 21-year-old five-time Olympic gold medalist dominated the 400 meters to win in a time of 3:58:50, the sixth fastest swim in history. This is her second gold during the Pan Pacs with the previous one bagged on Thursday in the 800m freestyle in a time of 8:09.13, which was faster than her 8:11.35 from four years ago on the Gold Coast.

Fatigue appeared to be a big factor affecting Ledecky's Thursday performance. She ended with bronze in the 200m event after she had swum the 800m event.

This is Ledecky's first and only bronze. She owns 14 World Championship gold medals and holds the freestyle world's records from 400-1500m.

"It didn't feel good, the 200, but I'm feeling better each session," said Ledecky, who acknowledged many of the Americans have had trouble beating jet-lag.

Australia's Ariarne Titmus, 17, finished second in 3:59.66, breaking the four-minute barrier in a fabric suit.

"It is exciting for me to see that (Titmuss going under four minutes)," said Ledecky, who won five golds at the 2014 Pan Pacs aged just 17.

"I was the only one to go under four minutes in a textile suit for a few years now and so it is exciting for me to see how I put the standard out there and there are a lot of girls chasing that."

The Pan Pacs was founded by its four Charter nations: Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States in 1985 and the ongoing 13th championships from August 9-13 are being held in Tokyo.

Source(s): AP ,Reuters