Peirsol tops Phelps, sets record

He rules in 200 backstroke; U.S. breaks 400 freestyle relay mark; Hoff 2nd in 400 freestyle

Associated Press

August 20, 2006

VICTORIA, British Columbia - Aaron Peirsol defeated Michael Phelps by 2.37 seconds and set a world record in the 200-meter backstroke at the Pan Pacific Championships last night.

But Phelps wasn't down for long.

About 20 minutes later, the 21-year-old sensation from Rodgers Forge returned to lead off the United States' 400 freestyle relay that set a world record.

Ai Shibata of Japan defeated Katie Hoff of Towson in the 400 freestyle. Shibata powered past Hoff in the final few meters and touched in 4:07.61.

It was Hoff's first loss in three individual races, and her third individual medal. She anchored the U.S. women to a gold in the 800 free relay Friday.

"Overall, I'm definitely happy with my performance," she said. "Today wasn't as good as I wanted, but I can't be mad at a silver."

In the men's backstroke showdown, Peirsol touched in 1 minute, 54.44 seconds - .22 of a second better than the mark he set at last year's world championships in Montreal.

"This is probably the best swim of my life," he said.

He checked the scoreboard, pumped his right arm and reached over the lane line to slap Phelps on the back as the six-time Olympic gold medalist looked away.

"Today was my day," Peirsol said. "I respect him for being in this race."

Peirsol has dominated the event since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the last time he lost a 200. He won the 100 backstroke Thursday.

It was Phelps' first loss of the four-day meet, after having won gold medals in the 200 butterfly, 400 individual medley and 800 free relay.

He was timed in 1:56.81. Tomomi Morita of Japan took the bronze.

"I knew I had enough energy to bring it home," Peirsol said. "I saw Michael next to me and I knew I had to start opening some distance. Without anyone next to me, I wouldn't have done that."

The United States topped the medals standings after three days with 30, including a leading 16 gold. Japan was second with 17 and Australia third with 11.

Phelps had enough energy left to team with Neil Walker, relay newcomer Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak for a world record in the 400 free relay. They won in 3:12.46 - more than 3 1/2 seconds faster than Canada. Australia settled for bronze.

American Ian Crocker cruised to victory in the 100 butterfly. His time of 51.47 lowered the Pan Pac record he set in the preliminaries.

The U.S. team of Amanda Weir, Natalie Coughlin, Kara Lynn Joyce and Lacey Nymeyer won the 400 free relay in 3:35.80, a Pan Pac record.

It was Coughlin's fourth medal and third gold.

The men's relay was the fourth world record of the meet, which ends today. Phelps set a record in the 200 butterfly Thursday, and Jess Schipper of Australia did the same in the women's race.

Schipper completed a sweep of the women's butterfly events, winning the 100 in a Pan Pac record time of 57.30 seconds. Americans Rachel Komisarz and Mary Descenza were second and third, respectively.

Schipper set the meet's first world record Thursday in the 200 fly.

Reiko Nakamura of Japan won the 200 backstroke in a Pan Pac record of 2:08.86.

Tae Hwan Park, a teenager from South Korea, won the men's 400 free in 3:45.72, overtaking American Klete Keller on the last lap. Keller faded to third, earning a bronze to go with the gold he won in the 200 free.

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Peirsol tops Phelps, sets record

He rules in 200 backstroke; U.S. breaks 400 freestyle relay mark; Hoff 2nd in 400 freestyle

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Peirsol tops Phelps, sets record

He rules in 200 backstroke; U.S. breaks 400 freestyle relay mark; Hoff 2nd in 400 freestyle

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