World Aquatics Championships: Titmus dethrones Ledecky for 400m freestyle gold

Katie Ledecky sampled the unfamiliar taste of defeat as Ariarne Titmus came of age in Gwangju.

Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus (R) ended the great Katie Ledecky's perfect 400 metre freestyle record.

Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus ended the great Katie Ledecky's perfect 400 metre freestyle record at major international events to take gold at the World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju on Sunday.

American Ledecky had only failed to be crowned world champion on one occasion when she had to settle for 200m silver in Budapest two years ago.

The 22-year-old was unable to add to her tally of 14 World Championships golds in South Korea, though, as Titmus passed her with only a few metres to go and held on dethrone Ledecky with a magnificent swim.

Titmus touched the wall in 3:58.76 to claim her maiden long-course world title.

"I knew that I properly had that in me." said the 18-year-old Tasmanian.