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 Pallister 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.
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 PanPacs 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."
Adding to a strong final day for Australia, Zac Stubblety-Cook went from fourth to first in the 200 breastroke final, winning in 2:08.09 from American Josh Matheny.
And countryman Jamie Jack won the 50m freestyle gold in a championship record of 21.35 as American Jack Alexy took silver in 21.42.
"It's awesome. That's the best I could ask for," Jack said.
American Kate Douglass lowered her own world record in the 50 free twice on Saturday, winning the final in 23.19.
Douglass capped a busy night by anchoring the US women to a dominant victory in the 4x100 medley relay in a championship record time of 3:50.43 with Australia second in 3:55.09.
The US men won from Australia in the 4x100 medley relay.
Australia finished the four-day meet with a medal haul of 15 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze.
- with The AP and Reuters
