Everyone knows that in the 400 freestyle and up Olympic and World Champion Katie Ledecky is essentially untouchable. The 200 freestyle, however, isn’t a sure bet.
At the 2014 Pan Pacs, 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympic Games, Ledecky claimed 200 free gold. At the 2017 World Championships Federica Pellegrini edged her. Ledecky tied for silver with Australia’s Emma McKeon. At the 2018 Pan Pacs, Ledecky took the bronze behind Canada’s Taylor Ruck (1:54.44) and Japan’s Rikako Ikee (1:54.85). Ledecky swam a 1:55.15. Her PB is 1:53.73 from the Rio Games.
At 2019 World Championships, the 200 free final is clear of Ledecky’s distance events. With an open day for the 200 free final, I think we will see a return to the 1:53s, and I think that will be enough to win…which puts me out of alignment with the Swim Nerds at SwimSwam. See their Worlds Preview 200 Free TOP PICKS here.
2019 World Championships – Women’s 200 Free Predictions:
Katie Ledecky – 1:53.29 – gold
Sarah Sjostrom – 1:53.89 – silver
Ariarne Titmus – 1:54.09 – bronze
But who cares what I think. What do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
This whole thing aged poorly…
“Everyone knows that in the 400 freestyle and up Olympic and World Champion Katie Ledecky is essentially untouchable.”
Well, that first sentence didn’t age very well…
I only predict a 1:55 for Ledecky…
But still, that’s a good time for the 400m.
153.2? Mel, you’re reaching. 154 low.
1:53.29! Split the difference and how about 1:53 high? I could be wrong in either direction.
I up-voted your comment, because, yes, I know, I’m reaching, HOWEVER, I believe she has a 1:53.29 in her just waiting to come out……and….no better time than NOW.
Wouldn’t be surprised if this 200 is a focal point for Ledecky this year. Throw a huge swim in and take a crack at the WR and then focus on the 400-800-1500 (also tossing a big 200 in on the 8FR-R) leading into 2020. Would have her leave Tokyo with 4 golds again.
She said in the video that she trains one day out of six per week for the 200 free. That is not her focal point.
Heemskerk has always been the fly-and-die type. I’m hoping she makes the final, paces everyone going out in 55, then holds on for dear life.
😂😂😂😂😂 i felt this one.
Who has the 200 free as their specialty? I think that’s where the upset could come. Ruck might be the true 200 specialist out of this group.
Sarah Sjostrom let Ledecky dictate the race in Rio. Sarah must be thinking she’ll try different tactics this time.
The 200 free is going to be a fun race to watch because there’s at least 5 potential winners.
Ruck is not a freestyle specialist..
That’s debatable…1:54 for 2 free sounds better then a 2:06 2 back. So far I like her freestyle more but time will tell.
That’s the best point. I was going to start a separate post with that theme, until seeing yours: None of these women focus on the 200 freestyle as their absolute. Maybe Pelligrini right now but she is seemingly second tier
Titmus>Ledecky>McKeon. Sjostrom scratches out. But it should be a great race. Half-a-dozen women have a realistic shot to win. Don’t think you can say that about any other event, men or women.
The men’s 200 breast is up for grabs, has been since Kosuke in 2004-2008
Men’s 200 breast was up for grabs in 2006
True, that’s the only other race you could say has more than 3 people with realistic options – where it would not be considered a huge upset for #4/5/6 prediction, to win. Unless you want to count women’s 100 free but there the favorites are much more obvious. Here I’m leaving Pellgrini, Ruck & Bonnet off the podium and it would hardly be a shocker if one of them went 1:54 low and won.