Date:31/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/31/stories/2007033108841800.htm

Sport

Lochte sets 200m backstroke record

MELBOURNE: Ryan Lochte rewrote the 200m backstroke World record on Friday before helping Michael Phelps get his hands on a fifth gold medal when the United States shattered the 4x200m freestyle relay World mark.

Australia had a night to remember with Libby Lenton winning her third gold medal of the championships in the 100m freestyle and Leisel Jones romping to victory in the 200m breaststroke.

Japanese superstar Kosuke Kitajima made the most of defending champion Brendan Hansen's absence by blitzing the field to win the 200m breaststroke.

Lochte not only upset teammate Aaron Peirsol for the first time at a major meet in the 200m backstroke, pulling away over the last 20m to touch in 1:54.32, but also stole his World record.

Peirsol, the Olympic champion, was forced to settle for second in 1:54.80 with Markus Rogan of Austria third (1:56.02). It was his third medal of the meet after finishing second to Peirsol in the 100m backstroke final and second to Phelps in the 200m individual medley.

His swim also shattered Peirsol's dream of winning a third consecutive World 100-200m backstroke double and signalled his first defeat over the distance since 2001.

The U.S. team of Lochte, Phelps, Klete Keller and Peter Vanderkaay made it a double American triumph by pulverising Australia's 4x200m freestyle relay record, shaving off over a second in their 7:04.66 swim.

The results:

Men: 200m backstroke (final): 1. Ryan Lochte (US), 1:54.32 (World record, previous 1:54.44, Aaron Peirsol), 2. Aaron Peirsol (US), 1:54.80, 3. Markus Rogan (Aut), 1:56.02.

200m breaststroke (final): 1. Kosuke Kitajima (Jap), 2:09.80, 2. Brenton Rickard (Aus), 2:10.99, 3. Loris Facci (Ita), 2:11.03.

800m freestyle relay (final): 1. US, 7:03.24 (World record, previous Australia 7:04.66), 2, Australia, 7:10.05, 3. Canada, 7:10.70.

Women: 100m freestyle (final): 1. Libby Lenton (Aus), 53.40. 2. Marleen Veldhuis (Ned), 53.70, 3. Britta Steffen (Ger), 53.74.

200m breaststroke (final): 1. Leisel Jones (Aus), 2:21.84. 2 (tie). Kirsty Balfour (GBr) and Megan Jendrick (US), 2:25.94. — Agencies