Record-Breaking Phelps Leads Americans

Sunday, April 1st 2007, 2:00 pm

By: News On 6

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Michael Phelps' record seventh gold medal paced the Americans' medal haul at the World Championships. The 21-year-old broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley to become the most successful swimmer ever at a world championship. His seven gold medals equal the record Mark
Spitz set at the 1972 Olympics for the most at a major international competition.

American Katie Hoff also set a world record in the women's 400-meter individual medley on the final day of the competition.

The U-S finished with a meet-leading 36 medals, including 20 gold, which matches its record haul in the 1978 worlds. Australia was second in the medal count with 21.