Phelps chasing two more golds at world championships
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-07-28 10:47

Michael Phelps remains on course to challenge Ian Thorpe's record of six gold medals at a single world championships after he successfully qualified for two finals in less than 75 minutes on Wednesday.

The indefatigable American showed no signs of weariness despite his punishing schedule as he cruised into Thursday's finals of the 100 metres freestyle and 200m individual medley.

He qualified fifth in the freestyle in 48.93 seconds, then returned to the pool shortly after to post the second quickest time in the medley.

"I'm used to doing multiple races every day," Phelps said. "I wouldn't say it's a piece of cake...but this is what I grew up doing."

Phelps, who already has two gold medals in Montreal after leading off the 4x100m freestyle relay then winning the 200m freestyle, is a strong favourite to retain the medley title he won in Barcelona two years ago but remains an outside chance in the sprint.

Although his semi-final time was his personal best, he was still well behind Roland Schoeman (48.45) and his South African team mate Ryk Neethling (48.54).

Schoeman is looming as the man to beat in the absence of world record holder Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands.

Schoeman finished second to the flying Dutchman at last year's Athens Olympics and has already won the 50m butterfly with his second world record in 24 hours.

"I was happy with my semi-final but I can go faster in the final," Schoeman said.

Ryan Lochte's one minute 58.06 was the fastest time from the medley semis but still more than two seconds behind the world record Phelps set to win Olympic gold.

Phelps was just 0.30 behind his fellow American and confident of bridging the gap in Thursday's final.

"I'm feeling good, I'm where I wanted to be," he said.

"At this level it's tough but things are working out."

Poland's Otylia Jedrzejczak, the world record holder and Olympic champion, set the best time of 2:08.30 in the semi-finals of the women's 200m butterfly.

She was just 0.08 ahead of Australia's Jessicah Schipper (2:08.38), who won the 100m butterfly on Monday. Japan's Yurie Yano was third in 2:08.63.

China's Gao Chang led the way in the women's 50m backstroke with 28.31, just 0.12 outside Janine Pietsch's world record.

Australia's Giaan Rooney was second fastest in 28.78 with Japan's Mai Nakamura third in 28.87.

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