Aussie star Lani Pallister ends American GOAT's 16-year win streak

Australian swimmer Lani Pallister has achieved a significant victory, defeating American icon Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle final at the Pan Pacific championships. This win secured Pallister her fourth gold medal of the competition and notably ended Ledecky's remarkable 16-year undefeated streak in the 800m freestyle at international competitions.

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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's performance was exceptional, clocking in at eight minutes and 6.1 seconds, a time that kept her close to world-record pace for much of the race. Ledecky, a four-time Olympic champion, finished second with a time of 8:07.26 in her signature event. Ledecky's only previous defeat in an 800m freestyle final since 2010 was in a minor domestic event in February 2024 against Canada's Summer McIntosh.

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The 800m is my favourite event. So to have the three titles this week and be just behind Katie in the 1,500 [is great but] … this is the one that I wanted.

Reflecting on her win, Pallister expressed immense nervousness but intense focus. "The 800m is my favourite event," she stated, emphasizing its importance to her. Ledecky, who had once encouraged a young Pallister to "dream big" when signing an autograph, shared her positive feelings about the race, posting on Instagram that she "can't help but smile about another incredible race with @lanipallister."

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I can't help but smile about another incredible race with @lanipallister.

Pallister's successful campaign also included a gold medal in the 400m freestyle the previous day, a silver in the 1,500m freestyle behind Ledecky, and a gold in the 200m freestyle against Summer McIntosh, along with a relay gold. Meanwhile, Australian male swimmers also excelled, with Sam Short winning three individual gold medals in the 400m, 800m, and 1,500m freestyle events. Short's performance in the 1,500m broke Grant Hackett's 23-year-old Australian record.

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I am proud of my consistency.