Alexander Popov of Russia had his hopes of a successive World Championship 50m and 100m freestyle double wrecked by American Bill Pilczuk.

Pilczuk took .10 of a second off his previous best time to clock 22.29 seconds, relegating Popov to the silver medal with 22.43 in the World Swimming Championship in Perth, Australia.

Michael Klim of Australia and Ricardo Busquets of Puerto Rico shared bronze on 22.47.

100m butterfly champion, Michael Klim, had to settle for bronze

Popov, who won the double at the past two Olympics and the previous world championships had set it up again with victory in the 100m event.

Pilczuk, 28, missed the 1996 Olympic team by .05 of a second but recovered to win the national title last year and share the gold medal at the Pan Pac Games.

Pilczuk, who lives in Auburn, Alabama, gave the US team its 11th and easily its most surprising gold medal in the pool.

"I can't really explain it," Pilczuk said. "I didn't really know where I was."

Klim extended his medal-winning run when he added a bronze to his three golds and two silvers from earlier in the meet.

He broke the 50m national record.

"There's no chance to make a mistake in this race," Klim said.

"I got an Australian record and my personal best so it's hard to complain."

Popov, who has been involved in running battles with American Gary Hall Jnr over the past few major meet, said he was not surprised by Pilczuk's rise.

"The American is a very good swimmer and the 50m is a very tough race," Popov said.
 

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