Torch passed to a new generation of Americans
On a night when Katie Ledecky returned to a more familiar spot – the top rung of the medal podium – the US men’s team began passing the torch to a new generation at the world championships in Budapest.
Step aside, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. You’ve got a worthy successor in Chase Kalisz.
Sorry, Nathan Adrian. It’s Caeleb Dressel’s time to shine.
Kalisz extended American dominance in the 200m individual medley with a bit of Olympic redemption, ably filling the void left by Phelps’ retirement and Lochte’s absence in Budapest.
‘‘Big congrats to my little bro!!!’’ Phelps wrote on Instagram to his former training partner at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. ‘‘Love ya dude!!!’’
The 20-year-old Dressel put the United States back on top in swimming’s glamour event, pulling away to a dominating win in the 100m freestyle while Adrian gladly settled for the silver.
Ledecky earned her fourth gold of the championships by anchoring the US victory in the 4x200m freestyle relay, taking over with a slight lead before powering away to win by a full body length.
About 24 hours after settling for silver in the 200m freestyle, when she was passed on the final lap by Italy’s Federica Pellegrini, Ledecky returned to form on a team that also included Leah Smith, Mallory Comerford and Melanie Margalis.
‘‘I knew I would have a big race,’’ said Ledecky, who has 13 golds in the world championship career, along with that lone silver. ‘‘I had an off day yesterday. It happens. You just try to bounce back as best you can from it and move forward.’’
Olympic champion Mireia Belmonte of Spain stayed on top in the women’s 200m butterfly, finishing strongly to deny Katinka Hosszu another gold before the home crowd. Hungary’s ‘‘Iron Lady’’ was leading at the midway point, but Belmonte blazed past her to win in 2:05.26.
Germany’s Franziska Hentke grabbed the silver, leaving Hosszu to settle for bronze.
Also, Brazil’s Etiene Medeiros took gold in the women’s 50m backstroke, which isn’t an Olympic event. The silver went to China’s Fu Yuanhui, while Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus earned the bronze.