Ryan Lochte threatened his own world record as he won the 200m individual medley on Saturday at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Lochte notched the third-fastest time in history as he won in one minute, 54.43 seconds, showing that he could challenge the world mark of one minute, 54.10 seconds that he set last year before high-tech bodysuits were banned.
“I wasn’t really focused on getting the world record, I was just focusing on swimming tough,” said Lochte, who claimed his sixth gold in four days.
PHOTO: AFP
NOT OUT OF REACH
However, Lochte said he wanted to show that not all of the world marks set last year — when the bodysuits contributed to a re-writing of the sport’s record book — are as far out of reach as some have said.
“I just wanted to prove to everyone that it could happen,” Lochte said. “If I’d just taken one or two more dolphin kicks, I would’ve had it.”
Behind Lochte, teammate Tyler Clary won the battle for silver with a time of one minute, 57.61 seconds, edging Brazil’s Thiago Pereira, who took bronze in one minute, 57.83 seconds.
Former world record-holder Michael Phelps opted out of the event, choosing to focus on his butterfly leg in the 4x100m medley relay.
That paid off as Phelps overtook Masayuki Kishida after Junya Koga and Kosuke Kitajima had given Japan a slim lead going into the butterfly.
Swimming the freestyle anchor leg, Nathan Adrian sealed the US victory in three minutes, 32.48 seconds, with Japan second in three minutes, 33.90 seconds and Australia third in three minutes, 35.55 seconds.
JAPAN POWER
Kitajima, who earlier won the 200m breaststroke in the fastest time in the world this year of two minutes, 08.36 seconds, said Japan want to reassert themselves in international relay competition.
“Obviously the United States is above and beyond, but we can put up a good fight,” he said.
With the Asian Games looming later this year, Kitajima said he was happy with his week.
“Frankly, I was a little worried about the 200, but I made a very good time for this season so I’m very satisfied,” he said.
The US enjoyed another big night, winning six of 10 events.
Adrian also pipped world record-holder Cesar Cielo in the 50m freestyle.
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