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Katie Ledecky breaks her own 1500m world record

Katie Ledecky of the United States reacts after setting a new world record of 15:27.71 in the Women's 1500m Freestyle Heats on
Image: Katie Ledecky set a new world record of 15:27.71 in the Women's 1500m Freestyle Heats.

American Katie Ledecky admitted she was surprised after breaking her own 1500m world record at the swimming world championships in Kazan.

The 18-year-old clocked 15 minutes 27.71 seconds during the heats on Monday morning, shaving 0.65 seconds off the previous mark she set at last year's Pan Pacific championships in Australia.

It is the fourth time Ledecky, who also holds world best times in the 400m and 800m freestyle, has set a new record over the marathon distance.

"I'm in quite a bit of shock right now," she said. "I was barely even focusing on this morning's swim. I was so relaxed and I only realised near the end as I could see people waving.

"It's probably one of the coolest world records I've broken. Each one is really unique, but just sort of how relaxed and calm I was it's pretty neat and hopefully I can carry that energy through the rest of the week."

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Ledecky's swim was the second world record of the meet after Sarah Sjoestrom of Sweden broke one in the 100 fly semi-finals on Sunday.