Gwangju (South Korea): Caeleb Dressel stands alone in world championships history. The American won his eighth medal Sunday, helping the U.S. to silver in the 4x100-meter medley relay after anchor Nathan Adrian got overtaken in the closing meters.
One night after becoming the first swimmer to win three golds in one night at worlds for the second time, Dressel set a record with eight medals, including six golds, at the biggest meet after the Olympics.
Two years ago in Hungary, Dressel tied Michael Phelps’ record of seven golds at a single worlds, including three in one night. Dressel hauled the U.S. from fourth to first on his butterfly leg with a split of 49.28 seconds. Adrian found himself in a three-way fight with Britain and Russia coming down the stretch.
Brit Duncan Scott surged ahead approaching the wall and got there first with a split of 46.14 to Adrian’s 47.60. Luke Greenbank, Adam Peaty, James Guy and Scott took gold in 3 minutes, 28.10 seconds. Ryan Murphy, Andrew Wilson, Dressel and Adrian finished in 3:28.45. Dressel’s golds came in the 50 and 100 free, 50 and 100 butterfly, mixed 4x100 free relay and 4x100 free relay. His other silver was in the mixed 4x100 medley relay.
The U.S. team finished atop the medals table with 27, including a leading 14 golds. Australia was second with 19 and five golds.
Simone Manuel completed a sweep of the 50 and 100 freestyles, the first American woman to achieve the feat.
