Dressel toasts seven world gold medals with maths test
‘MASTER’ CLASS US swimmer takes exam on Tuesday, two days after equalling Phelps’ record
I don’t know, I’ve never had it happen so I don’t really know what to say,” CAELEB DRESSEL, On equalling Michael Phelps’ record
BUDAPEST: Caeleb Dressel won a historic seventh gold medal in Budapest on Sunday as the USA claimed the men’s 4x100m medley relay title at the world championships -- before admitting his maths test worries.
After Dressel swam the third leg, Nathan Adrian touched the wall first for the USA at three minutes, 27.91 seconds with Britain taking silver at 1.04, while Russia earned bronze at 1.45.
The 20-year-old Dressel has now matched US swimming legend Michael Phelps’ record of seven gold medals from a single worlds set at the 2007 championships in Melbourne.
“I don’t know, I’ve never had it happen so I don’t really know what to say,” said Dressel when asked how it felt to be level with Phelps.
“I’m just happy to be done. I’m going to take a little break, see some of my teammates in Europe, Poland, Scotland.
“The atmosphere here has been an absolute blast, I just want to enjoy myself now.”
Dressel’s seven golds included three individual titles in the 50m, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, plus relay golds in the 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m mixed freestyle, 4x100m mixed medley and Sunday’s 4x100m medley.
He became the first swimmer to claim three world gold in one session on Saturday by winning the 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly and mixed 4x100m freestyle titles in a jaw-dropping 98-minute spell.
Dressel’s stunning display has earned comparisons with both P helps and Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
Dressel said he was tired after a draining 48 hours.
“I’m very happy to be done, pretty tired,” he said.
“Its been a good season, a good year, there are a lot more that goes into this than what people see in seven days.
His achievements unsurprisingly earned the University of Florida ace the award for the best male swimmer at the championships.
However, before he goes off on holiday, Dressel must sit a maths test on Tuesday. “Probably not, it’s probably going to go pretty bad,” he replied when asked if was ready for the test.
“I will probably be happy with a B-minus, that is the next goal when the meet’s over, to get over that maths test. I’ve had a decent semester with it, it’s been all online and I am not good on online.”