"We didn't just analyze how Katie Ledecky swam, we studied every move"- Ariarne Titmus gives verdict on her 'obsession' to surpass American icon

Swimming all-time great, Katie Ledecky added four medals from Paris to her iconic list of accolades and honours. Tasmanian swimming star Ariarne Titmus who defeated the icon, reflected back on her victory against her.

Ledecky who has amassed nine Olympic gold medals, more than 20 World Championship gold medals and many more achievements has been defeated by Titmus more than once. The most recent was their Paris head-on, when Titmus emerged victorious in the 400m freestyle, grabbing gold. In a collaboration with Wide World of Sports, titled “The Chase”, Titmus reminisced about her tale.

“Chasing number one. It's not just a pursuit, it's an obsession. I was 16, the first time I raced Katie Ledecky. She was already the greatest of all time. That's when the hunt began. My obsession, we didn't just analyze how she swam, we studied her every move. The best champions in all aspects of life, no distractions, no days off. That's why they win,” she recalled in the video.

Titmus, who has secured eight Olympic medals to her name, surpassed Ledecky at the 2019 FINA World Championships. Another event where Ledecky’s talents were halted was during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Titmus clinched the top spot in the podium in all three of these events against one of the greatest women swimmers of all time.

Ledecky is also one of the top five prestigious athletes in the history of the Olympics, the most decorated American female swimmer, and has multiple records under her prominent name.

When Katie Ledecky reflected on going up against Ariarne Titmus at World Championships 2023

Katie Ledecky at the 2024 Summer Olympics - Day 5 - Source: Getty

Katie Ledecky got her first gold medal in her Olympics debut in 2012 London Olympics and since then she has added many more to the list. Before the 2023 World Championships, in an interview with SwimSwan TV, Ledecky shared how her mindset was prepared before clashing with Ariarne Titmus and Summer McIntosh.

“It's going to be a great race. I think all of my races will be really tough and even that race I think it's more than just those two of course those two are the ones that have been 356 in the last year,” she said. [0:08 onwards]

She further continued:

“So, I know at the scene to keep doing what I'm doing and training and seeing they're prepared and I feel confident in the times that I posted. So, I think they just keep building off of this past week and looking forward to my next races.” [0:30 onwards]

Ariarne Titmus, the reigning Olympic champion, clocked the fastest time and won the 2023 World Championship. She also set the new world record with Ledecky earning the silver medal. Ledecky during her prestigious career has broken more than fifteen world records.

Last year, the legendary swimmer was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also nominated the World Swimmer of the Year in the female category by Swimming World a record five times.