How Katie Ledecky turned the page from two heavy losses to an Olympic gold medal

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An epic rivalry, two heartbreaking losses, and ultimately a big win in an entirely new grueling event – legendary American swimmer Katie Ledecky had already run in the extraordinary Tokyo Olympics.

Australian rising star Ariarn Titmus has outlasted her biggest rival at the Tokyo Aquatics Center by defeating her twice. Nicknamed “Terminator” for her relentless clinical leadership, Titmus seemed to have toppled Bledicky, considered the greatest swimmer ever.

But Ledecky bounced back to claim his first gold in the women’s 1500m freestyle on Wednesday, getting the payback she and her fans had been craving. It is her sixth gold medal at the Olympics.

Katie Ledecky and Australian Ariarn Titmus prepare to compete in the women’s 400m freestyle final in Tokyo on Monday. Olly Scarf/AFP – Getty Images

Lydiki punched the water and hugged her teammate, her shrunken face holding back tears of joy, and perhaps relief. She dominated the race and won a distance.

“I just wanted to get the job done tonight,” Ledecky told NBC Poolside. “I’m just thinking of all the great swimmers in the United States who didn’t get the chance to swim in this event.”

This year’s Olympics didn’t start well for the 24-year-old in Washington, DC.

In the 400-meter freestyle on Monday, Titmos won the gold medal over Ledecky, the Olympic title and world record holder, by touching in 3 minutes 56.69 seconds. Ledecky won the silver with a time of 3:57.36 seconds. Titmus’ historic win also put her coach in the spotlight as his celebration spread.

Two days later, 20-year-old Titmus won the 200-meter freestyle with an astonishing crowd from Ledecky, finishing fifth and failing to win a medal. This is the first time this has happened to her in an Olympic race, according to the Associated Press.

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About an hour later, on her third attempt at these Games, Ledecky was back in the water to compete again – this time in the women’s first 1500m freestyle at the Olympics. This time she won, clocking in at 15 minutes 37 seconds.

“After 200, I knew I had to turn the page really fast,” she said, assessing a day rollercoaster. “In the warm pool I was thinking about my family. Kind of every stroke I was thinking of my grandparents.”

She added, “They are the toughest of the four people I know, and that’s what helped me get through that.”

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The two events take place on the same day because swimmers aren’t supposed to be efficient enough across two varied distances to compete in both, according to the NBC Olympics.

To make her win even sweeter, her USA teammate Ledecky’s teammate Erica Sullivan came in second with the silver.

“I am so glad we were able to do it in the best possible way,” Ledecky said.

Titmus has not competed in the 1500m freestyle and the rivalry between the two women will undoubtedly continue.

The Australian, who was born in Tasmania, noted that Ledecky was her inspiration as a younger swimmer.

Now with two Olympic gold medals under her belt, she might be on her way to usurping the queen of the pond. We’ll get a better idea when the pair meet again in the 800m freestyle on Thursday.

Saphora Smith is a London-based reporter for NBC News Digital.

The Associated Press contributed.

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