Lani Pallister has toppled swimming legend Katie Ledecky for a second time in 24 hours to complete her stunning Pan Pacific championship campaign with her fourth gold medal.
The 24-year-old, who went to school at Maroochydore State High School, was under world record pace for much of the race as she won the 800m freestyle final in eight minutes 6.10 seconds from four-time Olympic champion Ledecky (8:07.26) in the American’s signature event.
Ledecky’s lone previous defeat in an 800 free final since 2010 came in a small domestic meet in February 2024 against Canadian superstar Summer McIntosh.
“Today is the most nervous I’ve ever felt in my entire life. I was just so locked in and I’ve been really focused on what I want,” Pallister said.
“The 800 is my favourite event. So to have the three titles this week and be just behind Katie in the 1500 (but) … this is the one that I wanted.”
Pallister had beaten Ledecky to win the 400m freestyle gold a day earlier and took silver behind her great rival in the 1500m free earlier in the meet, as well downing McIntosh to win the 200m free gold and also collecting gold in the 200m free relay.
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In July, she won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, including the 400m free, 800m free, 1500m free and 4x200m free. She won gold at the 2024 Olympics in the 4x200m free.
Australia well and truly flexed their middle and long distance muscle at the meet, two years out from the LA Olympics, with Sam Short also emerging with three individual gold medals after winning the men’s 1500m free to go with his 400 and 800 free titles.
Having beaten Ian Thorpe’s 1999 Pan Pacs record to win the 400m, he erased another Australian legend’s mark in the 1500. His time of 14:33.97 was the sixth-fastest in history, breaking Grant Hackett’s Australian record which had stood since 2001.
“I am proud of my consistency,” said Short.
“You know, I’ve gone five well sub 15 minute swims now, so if I can do that here, you know, my average come Olympics, World Championships, all I need to do is be my average and be contending for some podium places.”
Australia finished the four-day meet with a medal haul of 15 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze.
– with The AP and Reuters
