Right strokes give Phelps 2 more wins

Unlike in record-breaking performance a day earlier, he was in tough battle

Associated Press

February 19, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Michael Phelps dominated the Missouri Grand Prix again last night, winning a pair of races in the final major competition before next month's world championships in Australia.

Phelps, of Rodgers Forge, won both races he entered last night, the 200 freestyle and the 400 individual medley.

Unlike Saturday - when Phelps broke his own world record in the 200 butterfly and beat the nearest competitor by more than six seconds - he faced a much tougher challenge on the meet's second day.

Phelps, the winner of six gold medals in the Athens Olympics, had to come from behind in the medley race. He overtook second-place finisher Ous Mellouli in the final 25 meters, finishing in 4 minutes, 11.3 seconds.

"I knew it was going to be a race," said Phelps, who was visibly tired afterward. "This is what I expected tonight."

Phelps won the 200 freestyle in 1:46.47.

Natalie Coughlin, who also won a pair of races, set an American pool record in the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:58.

Fellow 2004 Olympian Katie Hoff of Towson finished second. Coughlin added a win in the 50 freestyle, finishing in 25.22, defeating second-place finisher Amanda Weir by a half-second. Coughlin also won the 100 freestyle Saturday.

"I'm really happy with how the meet is going so far," said Coughlin, who plans to compete in two more races today, the event's final day.

In the men's 200 breaststroke, Eric Shanteau upset Longhorn Aquatics teammate and world-record holder Brendan Hansen. Shanteau finished in 2:13.03.

Coughlin and Phelps can add to their medal totals today, with each entered in multiple races.

Phelps said he expects to be joined by coach Bob Bowman, who has remained behind to guide the University of Michigan swimmers in the Big Ten championships.

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Right strokes give Phelps 2 more wins

Unlike in record-breaking performance a day earlier, he was in tough battle

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Right strokes give Phelps 2 more wins

Unlike in record-breaking performance a day earlier, he was in tough battle

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