Michael Phelps scooped up his fifth gold medal at the World Swimming Championships on Friday but is still to face his toughest test.
The 21-year-old American stayed on course to win an unprecedented eight titles in Melbourne when he made it five from five with victory in the 4×200 metres freestyle relay.
Phelps combined with Ryan Lochte, Klete Keller and Peter Vanderkaay to win the final in a world record time of seven minutes 03,24 seconds to add to gold medals in 4×100 freestyle, 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly and 200m freestyle.
Phelps is an overwhelming favourite to win the 400m individual medley on Sunday and pick up another gold in the concluding medley relay, but Saturday’s 100m butterfly final is looming as his biggest obstacle.
He qualified fourth fastest for the final after conserving his energy for the relay but has his work cut out beating his Texan teammate Ian Crocker.
Crocker is the world champion and world record holder for the event and underlined his domination by heading the qualifying list for the final in 51,41 seconds, more than half a second ahead of Phelps (51.92).
Phelps briefly held the 100m butterfly record for 24 hours at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona before Crocker snatched it from him.
Crocker lowered the mark to 50,40 when he beat Phelps at the world championships in Barcelona two years ago and said he was confident of retaining his title as long he can keep his emotions in check.
”It’s all about control, I have to beware of too much adrenaline,” Crocker said. — Reuters