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Katie Ledecky Upset by Ariarne Titmus at 2019 World Swimming Championships

Jul 21, 2019
US Katie Ledecky (L) competes alongside Australia's Ariarne Titmus to take silver in the final of the women's 400m freestyle event during the swimming competition at the 2019 World Championships at Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center in Gwangju, South Korea, on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)
US Katie Ledecky (L) competes alongside Australia's Ariarne Titmus to take silver in the final of the women's 400m freestyle event during the swimming competition at the 2019 World Championships at Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center in Gwangju, South Korea, on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Australia's Ariarne Titmus beat Katie Ledecky in the 400-metre freestyle at the 2019 World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, on Sunday.

Ledecky was chasing a fourth straight title and led going into the final lap, but Titmus produced a strong finish to surge past the American and win in a time of three minutes and 58.76 seconds.

American Leah Smith came in third to take the bronze and the final place on the podium.

FINA shared highlights of the race, including the dramatic finish:

The result is a shock, as Ledecky has dominated the event throughout her career:

The American produced the slowest last lap of any of the eight swimmers in the race and spoke afterwards about why she had struggled heading towards the finish, per News.com.au:

"I just got to the last turn and felt like I just tightened up. My legs were just dead, and obviously, Ariarne took advantage of that and had a heck of a swim. Obviously, this stings a little; it's unfamiliar and different."

Titmus led for the first 200 metres but was then overtaken by Ledecky. However, the Australian produced a brilliant final lap to defeat her rival by one minute and 21 seconds.

The 18-year-old offered her thoughts on a stunning win after the race, per News.com.au:

"I knew that I properly had that in me. I feel pretty normal; it was just a swimming race. There was no pressure really coming into this race. I just wanted to fight as hard as I could—in that last 50 metres, I gave it everything."

Titmus' shock win over Ledecky drew plenty of praise:

Ledecky will return to action next in the 200 metres, where she will once again come up against Titmus.

Olympic Gold-Medal Swimmer Nathan Adrian Reveals He Has Testicular Cancer

Jan 24, 2019
GREENSBORO, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Nathan Adrian looks on prior to competing in the Men's 50m Freestyle heats during the Swimming Winter National Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on November 29, 2018 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Nathan Adrian looks on prior to competing in the Men's 50m Freestyle heats during the Swimming Winter National Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on November 29, 2018 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Nathan Adrian, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming for the United States, announced Thursday he's been diagnosed with testicular cancer:

Adrian won his first gold at the 2008 Beijing Games for swimming a successful heat for the Americans' eventual 4x100-meter freestyle relay champions. The final saw Jason Lezak chase down French superstar Alain Bernard in one of the most memorable finishes in swimming history to keep alive Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals, which he eventually accomplished.

The 30-year-old Washington native has since won three more relay golds (one at the 2012 London Games and two at the 2016 Rio Games) and also won the men's 100-meter freestyle race in London.

In addition, he's captured 10 gold medals at the World Championships, eight on long courses and two on short courses early in his decade-long career.

Adrian confirmed the cancer diagnosis isn't changing his outlook for the 2020 Summer Olympics, which are set to begin in Tokyo in exactly 18 months.

Although he expects a return to training in a "few short weeks," he didn't say whether his treatment will allow him to compete in July's 2019 World Championships in South Korea.

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