Phelps wins seventh gold

MELBOURNE, Australia – Michael Phelps showed he can win seven gold medals. Now, he’s got to do it at the Olympics.

Phelps smashed his own standard in the 400-meter individual medley by 2.04 seconds Sunday night, breaking his fifth world record and becoming the most successful swimmer ever at the world championships.

“This is probably one of the best meets I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’m definitely happy with how it turned out.”

The 21-year-old American joined countryman Mark Spitz as the only swimmers to win seven golds at a major international meet. Of course, Spitz’ achievement came on the sport’s grandest stage – the Olympics.

Buoyed by Phelps’ historic performance, the United States won a leading 36 medals, including 20 golds – equaling its record haul at the 1978 worlds in Berlin.

Australia was second with 21 medals and nine golds, including five by Libby Lenton.

Phelps and teammate Katie Hoff accounted for the night’s only world records. American swimmers accounted for 12 of 15 marks set over eight days in the temporary pool at Rod Laver Arena.

Hoff looked like a chip off Phelps’ block in winning the women’s 400 IM. The 18-year-old out of the same North Baltimore club that launched Phelps set a world record of 4:32.89. University of Washington recruit Ariana Kukors was fifth in the race with a time of 4:41.87.