Ledecky sets 1,500 metres freestyle world record

BARCELONA (Reuters) - American teenager Katie Ledecky set a world record to win gold in the women's 1,500 metres freestyle at the world championships in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Ledecky of the U.S. celebrates after setting a new world record to win the women's 1500m freestyle final during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona

The 16-year-old touched in a time of 15 minutes 36.53 seconds to smash the previous best of 15:42.54 set by compatriot Kate Ziegler in 2007.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Pritha Sarkar)