Dressel grabs gold, US record in swimming worlds

GWANGJU, South Korea— Once again, Caeleb Dressel stepped atop the medals podium, his blonde locks swept to one side. The 22-year-old swimmer accepted another gold medal and pumped his hands in the air. The U.S. national anthem played.

It's a familiar, recurring scene, one that the swimming world will likely see a lot more of the next 13 months. With Monday's win in the 50-meter butterfly, Dressel secured his second gold medal of these FINA World Championships. He has a chance here to break the record of seven titles at a single world championships.

Dressel, in fact, could win as many as nine events in Gwangju, which has already stirred speculation that he could take aim at one of swimming's most hallowed marks at next summer's Tokyo Games: Michael Phelps' eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Yet Dressel has zero interest in contemplating record books or making history.

"I don't come to meets to count medals," he said Monday night. "It's not what I do. It's just really for me. If it was me in the water and my coach, I'd be totally happy with that. And nothing else."

For now, the rest of the swimming world can enjoy the speculation and what-ifs. Each time Dressel dives into the pool, he seems to further stoke the possibilities. Monday's race might have been his biggest obstacle in Gwangju. He won seven world titles two years ago but had finished fourth in the 50 fly in Budapest.

Dressel crushed the field in Gwangju, posting the second-fastest time in history, 22.35 seconds, and setting a U.S. record.

While that distance isn't offered at the Olympics, Dressel's other core events are— including the 100 fly and the 50 and 100 freestyle races— which means there's a chance he'll pursue seven or eight in Tokyo next year.

Also Monday, Adam Peaty became the first man to win a third 100-meter breaststroke world title.

Peaty claimed the title in 57.14 seconds, a night after he became the first man to break 57 seconds in the semifinals. The British swimmer was under his own worldrecord pace at the turn before coming home a full body-length in front and 1.32 seconds ahead of teammate James Wilby.

In the semis, Peaty was timed in 56.88. He's also the current Olympic champion.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary also added more gold to her collection.

Hosszu extended her dominance in the women's 200 individual medley, claiming her record fourth title. That's the same number of times she's won the 400 IM.

"It might seem just another gold medal but for me it's really special to be here and be able to win," said Hosszu, who last year filed for divorce from her husband and training partner. "It's been a tough journey."

Nicknamed "The Iron Lady" for her relentless workload, Hosszu won in 2 minutes, 7.53 seconds.