Photo by: Mark Reis / USOPC
Lettenberger Wins Bronze at World Championships
6/13/2022 6:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Finishes third in 400 freestyle
Ahalya Lettenberger shook off any disappointment from falling just short of the medal stand in her first event on Sunday and swam to a bronze medal in the S7 400 freestyle at the 2022 World Paralympic Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal on Monday.
Lettenberger, who was edged out for a bronze in the 200 IM on Sunday by .11 seconds, earned her second career medal in the 400 freestyle at the World Championships by pulling away from Canada's Sabrina Duschense over the final 150 meters to finish in 5:22.11. McKenzie Coan of the US took the gold while Giulia Terzi of Italy captured the silver.
Lettenberger won a silver medal in the 400 freestyle at the 2019 World Championships in London and added a silver in the 200 IM at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics last summer.
"It means so much to me to medal again at Worlds," Lettenberger said. "Last night I got out-touched in the 200 IM, so this one just felt that much sweeter. The past year since Tokyo has been such a rollercoaster, and I've really been focusing on just having fun swimming with my teammates. This is our first international competition since Tokyo, so it's been really great seeing my teammates and friends from other countries.
"Being able to come away with a medal is truly amazing, and it was even more special because I got to share the podium with my teammate and one of my biggest role models, McKenzie Coan. I'm just excited to be racing again and to be able to represent the USA and Rice, and I'm so thankful for all the support from everyone at Rice!"
Lettenberger has three remaining races in Madeira. She will swim the 50 butterfly on Thursday, the 100 breaststroke on Friday and wrap up her week with the 100 freestyle on Saturday. The competition is streamed each day on YouTube. For a complete listing of the order of events, please click here.
Lettenberger, who was edged out for a bronze in the 200 IM on Sunday by .11 seconds, earned her second career medal in the 400 freestyle at the World Championships by pulling away from Canada's Sabrina Duschense over the final 150 meters to finish in 5:22.11. McKenzie Coan of the US took the gold while Giulia Terzi of Italy captured the silver.
Lettenberger won a silver medal in the 400 freestyle at the 2019 World Championships in London and added a silver in the 200 IM at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics last summer.
"It means so much to me to medal again at Worlds," Lettenberger said. "Last night I got out-touched in the 200 IM, so this one just felt that much sweeter. The past year since Tokyo has been such a rollercoaster, and I've really been focusing on just having fun swimming with my teammates. This is our first international competition since Tokyo, so it's been really great seeing my teammates and friends from other countries.
"Being able to come away with a medal is truly amazing, and it was even more special because I got to share the podium with my teammate and one of my biggest role models, McKenzie Coan. I'm just excited to be racing again and to be able to represent the USA and Rice, and I'm so thankful for all the support from everyone at Rice!"
Lettenberger has three remaining races in Madeira. She will swim the 50 butterfly on Thursday, the 100 breaststroke on Friday and wrap up her week with the 100 freestyle on Saturday. The competition is streamed each day on YouTube. For a complete listing of the order of events, please click here.
Players Mentioned
Backstroke
/ Swimming & DivingWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02