Phelps breaks world record to win seventh gold medal

MELBOURNE, Apr 1 (Reuters) Michael Phelps of the United States broke his own world record in the men's 400 metres individual medley final to collect his seventh gold medal at the world championships today.

Phelps, 21, won in four minutes 06.22 seconds to wipe 2.04 off the previous mark of 4:08.26 which he set at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Phelps's team mate Ryan Lochte finished second in 4:09.74 after leading at the 200 and Italian Luca Marin was third in 4:09.88.

Phelps, who also won the 200 medley, 200 freestyle, 200 butterfly, 100 butterfly and two relays, became the first person to win seven gold medals at a single world championships, bettering the previous record of six set by Australia's Ian Thorpe at Fukuoka, Japan in 2001.

Phelps had been bidding to win eight events and go one better than American Mark Spitz's golden haul of seven at the 1972 Munich Olympics, but his chances were dashed when the US was disqualified from the medley relay during today's morning heats.

The US set the fastest time in the heats but were disqualified when Ian Crocker left the starting blocks too early at the second changeover.

Phelps did not swim in the heats but would have taken part in the final had the Americans qualified.

REUTERS SSC RN1658