Phelps Remains Work in Progress

Michael Phelps showed his vulnerable side again Thursday night when he was left in the wake of the 100-meter freestyle at the World Swimming Championships.

“Every swimmer has a weakness,” he said. “I want to fix my weaknesses to make me a better swimmer.”

Phelps bounced back to win his third gold medal of the meet in one of his signature events, repeating as world champion in the 200 individual medley.

Still, another trip to the podium wasn’t enough to restore his aura of invincibility.

Phelps may be a once-in-a-generation swimmer, but he’s not same guy who broke five world records at the 2003 Barcelona world championships or won a record-tying eight Olympic medals in Athens last summer, including six golds.

“In 2003, I was in the best shape that I’ve ever been in my entire life. Last summer was something that I’d always dreamt of,” Phelps said. “This doesn’t even compare to those meets.

“It’s almost more of a steppingstone than anything.”

At this meet, he substituted the 100 and 400 free for two races he won in Athens.

“A lot of new obstacles are coming, a lot of new feelings are coming,” Phelps said. “I’m just taking it for what it is and learning from the mistakes I had this year.”

Filippo Magnini of Italy relegated Phelps to also-ran status in the 100, holding off the South African duo of Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling, winning in a meet-record time of 48.12.

Phelps was last at the turn and managed to pass only one swimmer before touching in 48.99, failing to even match his time from the semifinals a day earlier.

“I wasn’t able to get out with those guys,” the 20-year-old American said.

“I was in their wake, and I was just destroyed.”

At least Phelps made it through to the final. In the 400 free, he didn’t even get out of the preliminaries.

Schoeman was on world-record pace at the turn but faded to the silver in 48.28, just ahead of Neethling at 48.34.

Poland’s Otylia Jedrzejczak turned in the top performance of the night, breaking her world record in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:05.61. Her previous mark of 2:05.78 was set three years ago.

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Defending world and Olympic champion Hungary defeated Greece, 7-6, in the semifinals of men’s water polo.

Hungary will meet Serbia-Montenegro in Saturday’s championship. The Serbs edged Croatia, 5-4.