Russia's Alex Popov has beaten his Australian training mate Michael Klim to win the 100-metres freestyle gold in the World Swimming Championships in Perth, Australia.

Popov, a four-time Olympic gold medal winner, took the lead from the start, made the turn first and was never seriously threatened by Klim. Both are coached by the Russian, Gennadi Touretski, and train together at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Popov is attempting to become the first man to win a 50 and 100-metres double at successive world titles. He achieved the Olympic double for the second consecutive time at Atlanta. The 50-metre race is on Saturday.

"I'm exhausted but not ecstatic," said Popov. "It was a usual victory, nothing spectacular."

Popov finished in 48.93 seconds while Klim, who won the 200-metre freestyle and was a member of the winning 4x200-metre relay team, was second in 49.20. Lars Frolander of Sweden was third in 49.53.

The 26-year-old Popov joins American Matt Biondi as the only swimmer to defend successfully a men's world 100-metre freestyle title in the 25-year history of the championships.

The Russian said he felt he was tiring near the end. "I said to Michael I think I lost half a second in the last 10 metres," said Popov. "I couldn't feel anything in my body anymore."

Klim, who said he made a slow turn at 50 metres, said of Popov: "He's a true champion. It's his event and he really deserves it. I might have to wait for the next generation."

The Russian appears to be back at his best after being seriously injured in a Moscow knife attack shortly after the Atlanta Games. He is the holder of the world record of 48.21 seconds, set in June 1994 at Monte Carlo.

Chen Yan has picked up her second gold

Chen Yan of China won her second gold medal of the tournament when she claimed the women's 400-metre freestyle. Lea Maurer of the United States won gold in the women's 100-metre backstroke.

In other finals on Wednesday, Denys Sylantyev of the Ukraine won the men's 200-metres butterfly ahead of Franck Esposito of France and American Tom Malchow, while the United States won the women's 400-metres freestyle relay in front of Germany and Australia.

James Hickman narrowly missed out on the medals

British duo, James Hickman and Stephen Parry, just missed out on the medals.

Hickman finished fifth in the 200m butterfly - just one place ahead of Parry.

Hickman, the world short course champion, raised hopes of medal glory for Britain in a dramatic race when lying third at the half-way stage, but was unable to maintain the position.
 

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