Lani Pallister dethrones Katie Ledecky in first international 800m freestyle loss for American great

Australian swimmer Lani Pallister defeated Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle on August 16, 2026, marking the first time Ledecky had lost in that event at an international meet. Pallister not only beat the American great but also eclipsed Ledecky's championship record in the process. The result is a historic milestone in competitive swimming, ending Ledecky's long-standing dominance in her signature event.