Lochte Sets Two World Records On Final Day Of Short Course World Championships
Sunday, April 9, 2006 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Senior Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) broke a pair of world records on Sunday at the FINA Short Course World Championships being held in Shanghai, China. Lochte set the new standard in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 1:49.05, then became the first person in the history of swimming to swim a 100-meter backstroke split in less than 50 seconds.
By winning the 200-backstroke, Lochte earned his third gold medal at the Short Course World Championships. He won the 200 IM and 400 IM earlier this week, which will go nicely next to the three NCAA titles he earned two weeks ago in Atlanta.
“With the first world record (on Friday), I was so shocked that I didn't think it had really happened,” said Lochte, “and now, it's just like 'wow, that was awesome.' I've thought about breaking world records before, but tonight I was just going out there, racing tough and having fun.”
Lochte broke the previous world record of 1:50.43 set by Austria's Markus Rogan last December in Trieste, Italy. Ironically, Rogan finished second in the race on Sunday with a time of 1:50.97.
For his competition finale, Lochte swam the opening leg of the 400-meter medley relay and subsequently set his third world record in less than 72 hours. Lochte's 100 back split of 49.99 made him the first swimmer to record a time below 50 seconds.
“It was my last race, and I just wanted to give everything I had because there wasn't another race left,” Lochte said. “I had three other guys right behind me, so I knew I had to do my best for them.”
Lochte was awarded the FINA Trophy for the Best Male Athlete at the Short Course World Championships. The award completes arguably the greatest performance ever by a Florida swimmer. In addition to winning a total of six medals and breaking three world records, Lochte also broke four American records, three NCAA records and won three individual NCAA titles all in a span of 14 days. He will return to Gainesville later this week to continue classes and training.
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