Phelps puts one over Grant
MICHAEL Phelps stopped Grant Hackett’s bold bid for a quadrella of freestyle world titles today, but couldn’t prevent the Australia captain making more history.
The distance great collected his 14th medal at a world swimming championships, more than any other swimmer.
Hackett moved one medal clear of countryman Ian Thorpe, American Jenny Thompson and Germany’s Michael Gross by winning silver behind Phelps in a pulsating 200m freestyle final at the Parc Jean-Drapeau.
“It is huge honour to be in front of so many great names of swimming on the world stage over the years,” said Hackett, who has won eight world titles in his career.
“I am just hoping that in future world championships and even in future races this week I can add further to that tally.”
The Queenslander only fully committed to the four-lap race last month following the withdrawal of Dutch speedster Pieter van den Hoogenband.
The move was seen as a reply to Phelps’ decision to move onto Hackett’s turf by competing in the 400m freestyle.
The American superfish flopped before Hackett triumphed in the eight-lap event on the opening day but was never headed tonight as he touched the wall at 1min 45.20sec. Hackett (1min 46.14sec) has swum 1100m more than Phelps this week but the lanky Queenslander has never been as fast in the 200m as the Baltimore Bullet was today.
But Phelps, who collected bronze in the 200m at last year’s Olympics, conceded he still had to prove himself against the best in the event.
“Feels good to get it done but, the two that beat me still aren’t here,” he said of the absent Thorpe and van den Hoogenband.
“When I’m able to stand up against Thorpe and van den Hoogenband again, hopefully it will be a better challenge.”
Hackett wasn’t too disheartened but admitted his 800m heat in the morning had taken the edge off him.
“It doesn’t matter how good you are, a 7:47(800m swim) is always going to take it out of you a little bit and certainly that race was quite tough,” he said.
“Like I said it’s a good time, it’s the fastest 200m I think I have been since our Olympic trials in 2004 so I’m pleased with the result.”
Hackett still has the 800m final tomorrow night and the 1500m final on Sunday night.
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