Another day, another world record for Phelps
Michael Phelps of the US swims to victory in the men's 200m individual medley at the World Championships yesterday. Phelps won with a new world record time of 1:54.98. Reuters |
The American set his third world record in as many days, winning the 200-meter individual medley at the world championships Thursday night.
"Michael is just out of reach," bronze medalist Laszlo Cseh of Hungary said.
Phelps used the same strategy he employed in winning the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly _ go to the lead off the starting blocks and stay there.
He came home in 1 minute, 54.98 seconds, bettering his old mark of 1:55.84 set in August at the Pan Pacific championships.
"I went out there and went after it," he said. "Why stop something that works?"
Not to be outdone by Phelps, the US women's 800 freestyle relay took back the world record from Germany, winning by 3.73 seconds after barely scraping into the final. Natalie Coughlin, Dana Vollmer, Lacey Nymeyer and Katie Hoff were under world-record pace all the way and finished in 7 minutes, 50.09 seconds.
There have been 10 world records set at these championships.
The televised red line that shows how close swimmers are to world-record pace was on Phelps' rear as he cruised to the finish ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte and beat his previous mark by 0.86 seconds.
"I have to say that it's very impressive," said Canadian Brian Johns, who was fifth. "Not only swimming that fast, but to do it night in and night out with everybody looking at him."
Phelps pumped his right arm as he checked the scoreboard, then hugged Lochte in the lane next to him.
Phelps was under world-record pace throughout the race that features all four strokes. He became the first swimmer to win three world titles in the 200 IM and earned his record 14th world championship medal.
Lochte settled for the silver in 1:56.19. Cseh, the European champion, finished third at 1:56.92.
Phelps has also set world records in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly. His first gold came as part of the 400 freestyle relay.
"He is just a phenomenon, a mutant or something," US women's team captain Tara Kirk said. "He's just going for personal best times now and they just happen to be world records."
Phelps is 4-for-4 so far in his pursuit of eight gold medals. He still has the 100 butterfly, 400 individual medley and a likely spot on the 800 free relay to swim.
"I'm on that track, yes, but I'm only halfway done," he said.
He is clearly enjoying his victory walks around the pool. He stopped to sign autographs, shook hands with kids and shared a few laughs with Lochte, the second-fastest man ever in the 200 IM.
On the medals podium, Lochte opened his mouth and flashed a gold, silver and diamond-crusted grill especially made by his hometown dentist. He wore the accessory favored by rappers on a dare from his teammates.
"Michael said his jaw was hurting he was trying so hard not to laugh," Lochte said, joking that "hopefully swimmers will start wearing them."
Filippo Magnini of Italy and Brent Hayden of Canada tied for the gold in the men's 100 freestyle, a furious two-lap sprint in which a mere tenth of a second separated the top five finishers.
Magnini, the defending champion, and Hayden touched in 48.43 seconds. A thrilled Hayden threw his arms in the air to celebrate Canada's first gold of the meet.
Agencies
(China Daily 03/30/2007 page24)
