Michael Phelps, winner of six gold medals in the 2004 Olympics, had another strong performance in the FINA World Cup on Saturday.
The 20-year-old from Baltimore lowered his American short-course record in the 200-meter freestyle to 1:42.78, then earned his fourth victory of the meet by holding off Thiago Pereira of Brazil in 1:55.28 in the 200 individual medley.
On Friday, Phelps set the American mark of 4:03.99 in the 400 IM and also won the 100 IM in 53.21 at the 25-meter course at the Nassau County Aquatic Center.
Tara Kirk, winner of four straight NCAA titles in the 100 breaststroke while at Stanford, dominated the women's races. She completed a sweep of the three events in her specialty by taking the 50 in 30.58 and the 200 in 2:20.84. Kirk, 23, of Bremerton, Wash., won the 100 on Friday.
Megan Kendrick, winner of nine US titles, was the runner-up in Saturday's two races, finishing in 30.66 in the 50, and 2:24.93 in the 200.
Filippo Mangini of Italy was second to Phelps in the 200 freestyle at 1:42.94, followed by Pereira at 1:55.78. Phelps jumped off to an early lead on Mangini, who overtook him at 25 meters. Phelps won by outtouching Mangini at the finish. "I watched Mangini in this morning's trials," said Phelps, who was a disappointing seventh in the 100 and 400 freestyle at the World Cup Championships last summer, failing to qualify for the finals in either event.
"He has great closing speed and I was happy to have him in the sprints. However, I'm happier I pulled it out. I guess I proved that I'm ready for full competition."
{{/usCountry}}"He has great closing speed and I was happy to have him in the sprints. However, I'm happier I pulled it out. I guess I proved that I'm ready for full competition."
{{/usCountry}}Randall Bal of Fair Oaks, Calif., won the 200 backstroke in 1:50.95, after finishing second to Peter Marshall of Atlanta in the 50. Marshall posted a 23:29, while Bal was clocked in 23.51. Robert Margalis of St Petersburg, Fla, holder of three US titles, won the 1,500 freestyle in 14:56.94. Andrew Heard of Canada was a distant runner-up in 15:06.52
Kate Ziegler, a high school senior from Great Falls, Va, won the 400 freestyle in 4:03.19.
Ariana Kukors, a 16-year-old from Auburn, Wash., won the 400 IM in 4:34.48. On Friday, she was the gold medalist in the 200 IM. Margaret Holzer, a 2004 Olympian, led the US to a 1-2-3 sweep of the 100 backstroke with a time of 59.56. Caitlin Andrew of San Antonio was second in 1:00.25 and Kukors took third in 1:00.54. Fred Bousquet of France won the 50 freestyle in 21.61. Neil Walker of Verona, Wisc, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, was second in 21.65.
Oleg Lisogor of Ukraine earned his second gold in as many nights by holding off Brendan Hansen of Austin, Texas, in the 100 backstroke. Lisogor, who touched in 58.49, won the 50 breaststroke on Friday.
Svetlana Karpeev (1:02.08) of Russia beat Kukors (1:02.35) in the 100 IM. Sweden's Therese Alshammer captured the 50 butterfly in 25.78.
Marleen Deldhus, a former Olympian from the Netherlands, won the 100 freestyle in 53.59.