In Katie Ledecky's exhibition, she won the first of the five gold medals she aspires to in these Kazan World Championships. Melani Costa achieved a commendable sixth place after a race in which she stayed in medal positions in the first 200 meters. The Balearic's time, 4:06.50, is the best time of the season, but far from the time she obtained in Barcelona 2013 that gave her the silver.

"I didn't hope to make it to the final because I was in lane 1. But I did it and I finished sixth. Now I know what I have to improve for the Olympics, which is my goal," affirmed Costa. As usual in her 400 events, the UCAM swimmer started strong, trying to keep up with Ledecky, an impossible task. Melani held her ground in lane 8 until gradually the middle lanes started to catch up with her.

The silver went to the Dutch Sharon van Rouwendaal, a machine, as she already has a silver in the 10-kilometer open water and a fourth place in the 5-kilometer. The bronze went to the Australian Jessica Ashwood. "I'm happy with my second 100, that's the way to go. Now I have to focus on other events." Regarding Ledecky's superiority, Costa joked: "In Rio, Ledecky will do whatever I want." The Mallorcan has overcome knee problems and admits that this final has served to show that "I'm back, I'm competing again."