American wunderkind Michael Phelps smashes the world record of
men's 200 meters freestyle in Melbourne on Tuesday, becoming the
first man to swim under one minute and 44 seconds in the event.
After two days competition without world record, Phelps jumped
into the first final on Tuesday in sensational shape and finished
it amazingly in one minute and 43.86 seconds.
"I had no idea it was possible. I just wanted to do a personal
best," Phelps said after smashing Australian big fish Ian Thorpe's
six-year-old world record of 1:44.06.
The 21-year-old prodigy confirmed his lead since the first turn
and managed to enlarge the gap between him and the flying Dutchman
Pieter Van Den Hoogenband at every turn.
"Everything went pretty much close to perfect in that race,"
said the eight-time Olympic medalist, "I performed very well
underwater. I nailed every wall."
The 29-year-old Van Den Hoogenband qualified first in both the
preliminary and semifinals, but was totally out of pace in the
final where Phelps flied high.
Van Den Hoogenband grabbed the silver by clocking 1:46.28. The
prolific sprinter with three Olympic golds were still looking for
his first World Championships title.
South Korean teenager Park Tae Hwan could be satisfied with a
bronze by finishing the race at 1:46.73. The 17-year-old notched up
the opening gold and South Korea's first medal in the 400 meters
freestyle final last Sunday.
(Xinhua News Agency?March 28, 2007)