Katie Ledecky wins gold in 1,500 at the swimming worlds to tie mark set by Michael Phelps

By STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer

FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — Katie Ledecky has won the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle with ease at the swimming world championships on a day that saw fellow American Ryan Murphy triumph in the men’s 100 backstroke. Ledecky won in 15 minutes, 26.27 seconds. The victory was her 15th individual title at the world championships and equaled the mark set by Michael Phelps. Ledecky smashed the field in an event she has not lost at the worlds or Olympics in more than a decade. Her fifth victory in the 1,500 tied the record for the most wins at the worlds in a single event. She is the most decorated female swimmer at the worlds with 20 golds overall. Italy’s Simona Quadarella finished 17 seconds behind Ledecky.