BEIJING: Michael Phelps (USA) eased his way to gold and a world record in the Men's 200m Freestyle final on Tuesday at the National Aquatic Center, and remains on course to win eight gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
World record holder and world champion Phelps had been fourth-fastest into the final in 1:46.28, but stepped up a gear when it was required.
He won in 1:42.96 to beat his previous world mark of 1:43.86 set in Melbourne in 2007.
Park Tae-hwan from the Republic of Korea, who won the Gold medal in the 400m Freestyle on Sunday, was second to Phelps throughout the race and held off a challenge from Peter Vanderkaay (USA) to touch for the silver medal in 1:44.85, 1.89 seconds behind the American.
Vanderkay, who had qualified fastest for the final, won the bronze medal in 1:45.14.
Phelps won the bronze medal in the 200m Freestyle at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, but left no doubts as to who now dominates the event after easily dismissing Park's challenge. So far, the only scare in his gold medal clean sweep bid has been in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, where the US came from behind to just edge out France in a memorable final on Monday. Phelps will now turn his attention to the Men's 200m Butterfly, an event in which he is the defending Olympic champion, world champion and world record holder. The final for the 200m Butterfly will be held on the morning of Wednesday, 13 August.—Agency