Ledecky sets new world record to win 400m freestyle gold

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 8: American teenage sensation Katie Ledecky set a new world record to win gold in the women's 400 metres freestyle at the Rio Olympics.

The 19-year-old clocked 3 minutes 56.46 seconds, eclipsing the previous record she set in 2014 by almost two seconds on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Britain's Jazz Carlin was second, 4.77 seconds behind Ledecky, with America's Leah Smith 5.46 sec adrift at third at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

Ledecky won one gold medal as a 15-year-old at the London 2012 Olympics, triumphing in the 800m freestyle.

She was part of the American team that won silver in the 4x100m relay final on Saturday.