TOKYO -- Katie Ledecky was knocked out by the Terminator at the Tokyo Olympics.Ariarne Titmus, Australia, chased Ledecky down to win the most anticipated race of the Summer Games. She captured the gold medal Monday with the second fastest time ever recorded in history.Titmus, who was trailing by almost a full length at the halfway point of the eight-lap race and had lost nearly half his body-length, reached the finish line in 3 minutes 56.69 seconds.Ledecky was the Olympic champion and world record holder. This time, she took the silver in 3:57.36 -- fourth fastest time ever recorded.Team USA's win in the men's 4x100 meter freestyle relay helped to ease some of the pain after Ledecky's defeat. Caeleb Dressel was the American swimmer who led the men. He began his quest to win six gold swimming medals by winning his first race on Monday.Ledecky was fourth fastest in the women's 400m freestyle. However, it was not enough to beat Titmus' 3 minutes 56.69 -- the second fastest time ever. Rob Carr/Getty Images.Ledecky stated, "I fought tooth-and-nail." She swam with a very intelligent race. She was very controlled at the front. "I felt very strong and smooth going out, and I flipped at 300, and it was like, "Oh, she is right there."Then she vanished.Ledecky experienced the sting of defeat for the first time in her remarkable Olympic career. She was dished out by Down Under's rival, who clearly showed she wasn't intimidated by the American star.Titmus stated, "It's surreal." It's crazy to have such a big plan. It's the most ambitious thing you can do in your sporting career. I'm thrilled.Nobody else came even close. In 4:01.08, China's Li Bingjie won the bronze.Dressel was then hailed as Michael Phelps' successor.After winning the gold medal, the United States men's 4x100m Freestyle relay team, which includes Blake Pieroni and Bowen Beck, poses with Caeleb Dressel. AP Photo/Petr David JosekDressel led the U.S. to the front and Dressel's three accomplices in the relay helped ensure that it held its own.Dressel stated, "I felt great the entire way, but I knew that I had to reach in the wall first and get clean water,". Everyone did their jobs. It's a relay for an reason. It's four guys for one reason. It's definitely not me. It's definitely not one man.The first leg was swum by the 24-year-old Floridian in 47.26. Blake Pieroni, Bowe Becker and Zach Apple kept the Americans in front. Zach Apple then turned in an anchor leg at 46.69 to make it clear that they were victorious.The third-fastest time ever recorded in history, 3:08.97 was the winning time for the United States. The silver medal went to Italy in 3:10.11, while the bronze went to Australia in 3:10.22.Dressel stated that the scariest part of the whole process was Dressel's leg. He had complete control over it. "I knew they would get the job done. I wasn't afraid at all. Zach was in the water. It was over when I saw Zach break out.Apple was embraced by Dressel as he climbed out of the pool to embrace him. Dressel is now preparing for three events in Tokyo. One down, five to go.Ledecky's disappointment was disappointing for the Americans. They won six of twelve medals Sunday, but were unable to win the medals in Monday's first two finals.Torri Huske, Michael Andrew and Michael Andrew both finished in fourth place. Then it was Ledecky who took the second spot -- an unfamiliar position for one of the greatest freestyle swimmers ever.After winning the 800 free at London 2012, Ledecky was unable to win an individual Olympic final. He then won three more golds at Rio de Janeiro in the 200, 400, and 800 free.Ledecky stated, "I knew it would be a struggle to the end," "I didn't feel like I died. She had that 50-75 speed. It doesn't get any better.Titmus was the Terminator at its end."Honestly, at 200 I was a bit worried," said the Aussie. "I knew she'd be there. Nobody is going to be able to catch Katie Ledecky unawares at the Olympics. I had to believe in myself."I tried my best to remain calm and maintain the speed I had. "I was proud to be able to win against someone with an incredible second half of her race.Ledecky will have another chance at Titmus in Titmus' 200-free, and the American is highly favored to win the 800 and add more gold in the 1,500 -- an event new for women at these games.The swimmers raced each other in the middle and ended up hugging when the race was over. They hugged each other as they climbed out of pool.Titmus replied, "I just thanked them," I wouldn't be where I am without her. She has set the standard for freestyle middle-distance. "If I didn't have her to chase me, I wouldn't be swimming as well as I do."After competing in the 400-meter freestyle for women, Titmus and Ledecky were seen embracing. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesThe most certain bet at the pool was Adam Peaty, British champion in men's 100 breaststroke.Peaty holds the world record and is the first to break the 58 and 56 seconds in his signature event. To blow out the field, he posted the fifth fastest time in history (57.37)Arno Kamminga, from the Netherlands, claimed the silver in 58.00. Italy's Nicolo Martenghi took the bronze in 58.33. Andrew came in at 58.84.Canada's first ever gold medal at the pool was won by Maggie MacNeil with victory in the women’s 100 butterfly.The world champion touched first in 55.59. Zhang Yufei, China (55.64) was just a few seconds behind her. Emma McKeon from Australia won the bronze medal in 55.72. This beat Huske, who was 18 years old.Huske started fast and was close to the front, with only 10 meters remaining. She lost her last strokes and was just able to miss a place on the podium.Sarah Sjstrm, defending champion and holder of the world-records was seventh.Six Sunday medals won by the American team were more than any other country in Michael Phelps' remarkable career that included five Olympics.After the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Phelps retired and is now commenting at these Olympics.This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
