Michael Phelps from US celebrates after winning the men's 400m individual medley swimming final at the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, April 1, 2007. Phelps won the gold in a new world record time of 4:06.22. (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Duo)

Michael Phelps from US competes during the men's 400m individual medley swimming final at the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, April 1, 2007. Phelps won the gold of this event in a new world record time of 4:06.22.(Xinhua Photo/Zhang Duo)

Michael Phelps showed his talent in the pool again with unparalleled seven golds at the FINA World Championships, while more athletes sharpened their forms ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The American swimmers overwhelmingly dominated the Championships by sweeping 20 out of 40 golds on offer in the eight-day competition.

The 21-year-old wunderkind Phelps was undoubtedly the king of the powerhouse as he bagged seven golds, breaking retired Australian star Ian Thorpe's record of six golds at a single World Championships.

Phelps made sure that he won every event he swam. Besides, the prolific superfish lived up to his own expectation by improving his personal best results in most events.

The prodigy became the first man to swim the 200 meters freestyle under one minutes and 44 seconds. He surprised himself by making the previous world record mark of 200 meters butterfly chase him, and did it again in the 400 meters individual medley. The wunderkind also broke his own world record of 200 meters individual medley.

The dedicated young man was expected to make a huger splash at the Olympic Games one year later, so was the dominating U.S. team.

In the eight-day competition, 14 world records in 13 events were broken, 11 of which were contributed by the fantastic American swimmers.

The 17-year-old Katie Hoff not only defended two titles in the women's individual medley, but also smashed the world record of the 400 meters four strokes.

The 22-year-old Ryan Lochte twice followed unmatched Phelps in the individual medley events, and grabbed his first individual world champion title in the 200 meters backstroke race by defeated long-time reigning teammate Aaron Peirsol as well as his world record.

Australia confirmed their No.2 position in the medal table with nine golds, but was dropped behind further by the United States.

At the Montreal World Championships two years ago, The U.S. team swept 15 golds while the Aussies trailed closely with 13 golds.

However, the Australian women's swimmers were still standout such as breaststroker Leisel Jones and freestyle sprinter Lisbeth Lenton.

Due to superfish Ian Thorpe's retirement and Grant Hackett being in downturn, the Australian men's swimmers only grabbed one gold in the 4x100 meters medley relay. But it obviously a lucky gift for the world record holder the U.S. team was disqualified in the heats due to foul while exchange legs.

Besides preeminent Phelps and the master hands from the two powerhouses, many stars shines in the intensive pool.

French beauty Laure Manaudou grabbed two golds and two silver in individual events. She also updated the world record in the 200meters freestyle.

The 17-year-old Park Tae Hwan notched up one gold and one bronze in long-distance freestyle competition. The Asian hopeful did not only make breakthroughs for South Korea, but also thrillingly threatened Hackett and other great swimmers in the field.

Japan's only gold was picked up by Kosuke Kitajima in the men's200 meters breaststroke while the world record holder Brendan Hansen was absent due to virus. But the Olympic champion had proved that he was capable of challenging Hansen, as he was only beaten by one stroke in the 100 meters breaststroke duel with the American.

Meanwhile, the Japanese swimmers revealed their aggression by collecting two silvers and four bronzes.

South Africa, Poland, Italy, Sweden Tunisia, Canada and Ukrainealso gained golds in Melbourne. The other 12 teams came back home with medal collection.

Editor: Donald