Australian Michael Klim, the record-breaking medal winner of the World Championship, may be physically and mentally drained but wants to continue with his exhaustive seven-event swimming meets in future.

Klim became the greatest individual medal winner at a World Championship with seven medals, four of them gold, to steer Australia to second best swim nation behind the United States.

The 20-year-old admitted he was 'mentally fatigued' by his workload over the last seven days, but said: "I don't want to change anything, why should I?"

Shaven-headed Klim was the cornerstone of the Australian team this week winning the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and gaining success as a memberof Australia's 200m freestyle and 100m medley relay teams.

Michael Klim - the master of the pool

"I am very proud to have had a significant input into the Australian team," said Klim. "The results at this meet have been three years of hard work at the Australian Sports Institute."

Klim said the rigours of the continuous racing were catching up with him during Sunday's medley relay, but with added: "every stroke I took I could hear the crowd cheering me."

He swam a sensational third butterfly leg of 51.80 seconds to put the Australians in front of the US heading into the final leg and giving sprinter Chris Fydler a slight advantage to fight with Gary Hall jnr down the final two laps.

Britain's only individual medalist - Paul Palmer

Polish-born Klim said he realised that a nation's expectations were on him now following his exploits at the world championship.

"I hope people will realise that winning seven medals at a meet like this is not as easy as it sounds."

British Swimmer, Paul Palmer, shattered his own national record to gain Britain's only individual medal of the World Swimming Championships with a bronze in the 400 metres freestyle.

The British Mens 200m Freestyle relay team -- which included Palmer -- also got a bronze medal.
 

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