McIntosh beats Ledecky for 400m freestyle gold, breaks star’s meet record at U.S. Open

Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh won a highly anticipated showdown with American superstar Katie Ledecky at the U.S. Open Swimming Championships on Thursday in Greensboro, N.C.

The 17-year-old from Toronto delivered a dominant performance in the women’s 400-metre freestyle final, leading the field from start to finish while breaking Ledecky’s meet record with a time of three minutes 59.42 seconds.

Ledecky, a seven-time Olympic champion, was bested by nearly three seconds, touching the wall in 4:02.38 for silver at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. She set the previous record of 3:59.71 last year, edging McIntosh by .08 seconds.

Hong Kong’s Siobhán Haughey took home bronze on Thursday in 4:06.32.

Fellow Canadian Josh Liendo also reached the U.S. Open podium, claiming silver in the men’s 50m freestyle final to close out Day 2.

The 21-year-old from Markham, Ont., finished .10 seconds behind American Michael Andrew with a time of 21.90, beating out Aruba’s Mikel Schreuders (21.93).

WATCH | Liendo earns 50m freestyle silver: 

Canada’s Josh Liendo claims silver at U.S. Open Championships in 50m freestyle

Featured VideoJosh Liendo of Toronto finishes in second place in the men’s 50-metre freestyle final at the U.S. Open Championships, while American Michael Andrew wins the gold medal.

The meet, which runs through Saturday, will also feature Canadian star Penny Oleksiak in the women’s 100m freestyle on the final day of competition.

McIntosh will return to the pool for Friday’s 400m individual medley, where she is the world-record holder and reigning world champion.

Eighteen-year-old rising star Ilya Kharun, who was born in Montreal, is also set to compete in Greensboro.

WATCH | McIntosh defends women’s 400m IM world title with championship-record time: 

Canada’s Summer McIntosh defends her world title in the women’s 400 individual medley

Featured VideoToronto teenager Summer McIntosh easily wins gold in the women’s 400 individual medley with a championship record of 4:27.11.