Swimmer Katie Ledecky exceeds Michael Phelps world record for most individual world titles.

Olympic gold medalist American swimmer Michael Phelps held the record for the most individual world titles but the American swimmer on Saturday Katie Ledecky surpassed Michael for most career individual world swimming titles after winning her 16th gold medal.

Ledecky also became the first-ever swimmer to win six consecutive world championships in the same event.

The 26-year-old earned her 16th world title after winning the 800-meter freestyle in a time of 8:08.87 at the 2023 World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. She defeated second-place finisher, Li Bingjie of China, by 4.44 seconds.

“It’s special. I really didn’t even know I was going to achieve that until people started telling me. It’s cool,” the seven-time Olympic gold medalist said.

“I’m happy with that swim. I wanted it to be a little better, but I’ll take it. I’m really pleased with how the week went.” She continued.

On Tuesday, Ledecky tied Phelps when she dominated the 1,500-meter freestyle for her fifth world title in that event.

Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American competitive swimmer. She has won seven Olympic gold  medals and 21 world championship gold medals, the most in history for a female swimmer. Ledecky’s six individual gold medals at the Olympics, 15 individual gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships, and 22 overall medals at the World Aquatics Championships are record in women’s swimming.