Lochte nabs sixth gold
Ryan Lochte threatened his own world record as he won the 200m individual medley Saturday at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Lochte notched the third-fastest time in history as he won in 1min 54.43 sec, showing that he could challenge the world mark of 1:54.10 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.
However, Lochte said he did want 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 1:57.61, edging Brazil's Thiago Pereira who took bronze in 1:57.83.
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, American Nathan Adrian sealed the US victory in 3:32.48, with Japan second in 3:33.90 and Australia third in 3:35.55.
Kitajima, who earlier won the 200m breaststroke in the top time of the world this year of 2:08.36, 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 United States enjoyed another big night, winning six of 10 events.
Adrian also pipped world record-holder Cesar Cielo in the 50m freestyle.
Adrian ran down the Brazilian in the closing meters of the one-lap sprint to win in 21.55sec. Cielo, the Olympic and world champion, was second in 21.57 and Canada's Brent Hayden was third in 21.89.
Cielo, who won the 50m butterfly Wednesday but was third in the 100m free, was disappointed.
"My freestyle is not going as well as I expected," he said. "I probably haven't done well in practice. I've probably missed something during the season. My 100 free wasn't good and today wasn't good. I'm not as fit as I wanted to be here."
Jessica Hardy, swimming her first major international championships since serving a two-year drugs ban, won the women's 50m free in 24.63sec, with fellow American Amanda Weir second in 24.70. Canada's Victoria Poon was third in 24.76.
Hardy came back to anchor the US women's 4x100m medley relay in a hard-fought victory over Australia.
Although they couldn't hold on for a medley relay win, Australia's women brought home two golds on the last day of action in the pool.
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