Lochte sets records

Ryan Lochte broke two world records in under two hours and helped his more famous American team-mate Michael Phelps collect his fifth gold medal at the world swimming championships yesterday.

Lochte broke Aaron Peirsol's record in the 200 backstroke final before teaming up with Phelps as the United States demolished Australia's mark for the 4x200 freestyle relay.

Phelps, who swam the lead-off leg in the relay, edged closer to breaking Ian Thorpe's record of six gold medals at a World Championships when he collected his fifth in as many events.

The 21-year-old also booked his place in today's 100 butterfly final and has another two events tomorrow to complete his bid to scoop an unprecedented eight titles.

Libby Lenton bagged her third gold medal in Melbourne by beating the fastest field ever assembled to win the women's 100 freestyle and her Australian team-mate Leisel Jones completed the 100-200 breaststroke double for the second time.

Japanese Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima capitalised on the absence of American rival Brendan Hansen to win the men's 200 breaststroke final and provide Asia with its second gold medallist this week after South Korean Park Tae-hwan in the 400 freestyle.

Lochte sliced 0.12 off Peirsol's mark when he beat his team-mate in a sprint finish to reach the wall first in 1:54.32.

Peirsol, swimming in the lane next to Lochte, had to settle for the silver medal with Austria's Markus Rogan taking the bronze.

It was Peirsol's first defeat in the event since he finished second to Lenny Krayzelburg in the Olympic final at Sydney in 2000, ruining his bid to join Australian long-distance freestyler Grant Hackett as the only swimmers to win the same event at four world championships.

"Ryan swam a wonderful race, can't take that away from him. He definitely earned it," Peirsol said.

Lochte had finished second to Peirsol in the 100 backstroke final and was runner-up to Phelps in the 200 individual medley but struck gold twice when he followed up his breakthrough win in the backstroke with another victory in the relay.

Lochte and Phelps joined forces with Klete Keller and Peter Vanderkaay to win the gold in a time of 7:03.24, slashing 1.42 off the previous record of 7:04.66 set by a Thorpe-led Australian team at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

It was the 12th world record in the past four days at the championships.

Australia have yet to win a gold medal in the men's events in Melbourne but have won six titles in the women's races after Lenton and Jones added to their collections.

Lenton won the blue-riband sprint in 53.40, equalling the second fastest time in history, just 0.10 outside Britta Steffen's world record of 53.30.

Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands finished second in 53.70 after leading the field at the turn under world record pace and Steffen had to settle for third in 53.74.

Lenton had already won gold in the 4x100 freestyle relay and the 100 butterfly and will chase a fourth gold medal in the medal relay.

Jones is also eyeing four golds after her runaway win the women's 200 breaststroke final. The Queenslander won the 100 earlier in the week and is entered in the 50 and will team up with Lenton in the medley relay.

American Megan Jendrick dead-heated with Britain's Kirsty Balfour for the silver medal in 2:25.94.

Kitajima led all the way to win the men's breaststroke final in 2:09.80 seconds, claiming his third world title after winning the 100-200 double at the 2003 championships in Barcelona.

Australia's Brenton Rickard held on to take second place and Italian Loris Facci was third. Australia also won silver in the relay with Canada getting the bronze.

Maltese in action

The only Maltese swimmer in the Rod Laver Arena Pool yesterday was Davina Mangion. She swam in Heat Six of the 50m butterfly race.

Mangion covered the distance in 30.77, a fraction of a second off her personal best, to finish ahead of 31 starters in a field of 93.

The Maltese will be in action this morning as Neil Agius is scheduled to take part in the opening heats of the 1,500m freestyle and the women's 4 x100 team listed to start the medley race.

Waterpolo

Women SFs: US vs Hungary 10-9; Russia vs Australia 9-12.

Men's SF: Serbia vs Croatia 7-10.

Final: Croatia vs Hungary.