Dominant Phelps flies to third gold

Aquatics World Championships

Michael Phelps won his third successive 100 metres butterfly title at the world swimming championships on Saturday before warning his rivals he could only get quicker ahead of next year's London Olympics.

The 26-year-old American, who won an unprecedented eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, claimed the 100 title in 50.71 seconds ahead of Poland's Konrad Czerniak (51.15) and Tyler McGill (51.26) of the US.

The victory ensured Phelps, who was also first in the 200M on Wednesday, recorded a butterfly double for the third consecutive world championships. Phelps coasted into the final in 51.47, using his finishing speed to post the fastest qualifying time after he found himself in fifth place at the turn. He was better positioned on Saturday, turning for home in third before another late burst propelled him clear of the field. It was Phelps's third gold of the championships, having also swum the lead-off leg for the US in the 4x200 freestyle relay on Friday.

He also won two 200 silvers in the individual medley and the freestyle — both behind compatriot Ryan Lochte — and a bronze in the 4x100 freestyle relay. Brazilian Cesar Cielo's emotions again got the better of him on Saturday after he retained his 50 metres freestyle title to earn his second gold medal.

The Olympic champion and world record holder blasted down the length of the pool to clock 21.52 seconds. Italy's Luca Dotto won silver in 21.90 while Frenchman Alain Bernard, in lane eight, took the bronze in 21.92.

Cielo, who escaped a doping ban to compete here, broke down on Monday after winning the 50 butterfly and he wept again on Saturday in front of reporters and also had to choke back more tears on the podium.Dutchwoman Inge Dekker won the 50 metres butterfly title. Dekker clocked 25.71 seconds to claim gold ahead of world record holder Therese Alshammar of Sweden (25.76). Melanie Henique of France won bronze in 25.86.

Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington beat Denmark's 2009 world champion Lotte Friis to win the women's 800 metres freestyle title in a thrilling finish. Adlington clocked eight minutes 17.51 seconds to claim gold ahead of Friis who took silver in 8:18.20, while Kate Ziegler of the United States won bronze in 8:23.36.

Melissa Franklin of the United States took home the women's 200 metres backstroke crown. Franklin clocked two minutes, 5.10 seconds to win gold ahead of Belinda Hocking of Australia who took silver in 2:06.06, while Sharon van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands claimed the bronze in 2:07.78.

United States women claimed their first 4x100 metres medley relay world title since 1998 when they took the gold medal on Saturday. The quartet of Natalie Coughlin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Melissa Franklin clocked three minutes 52.36 seconds. China claimed the silver in 3:55.61 while Australia were third in 3:57.13.

Results: Men: 50M freestyle: Cesar Cielo (Bra) 21.52, 1; Luca Dotto (Ita) 21.90, 2; Alain Bernard (Fra) 21.92, 3. 100M butterfly: Michael Phelps (US) 50.71, 1; Konrad Czerniak (Pol) 51.15, 2; Tyler McGill (US) 51.26, 3. Women: 800M freestyle: Rebecca Adlington (Bri) 8:17.51, 1; Lotte Friis (Den) 8:18.20, 2; Kate Ziegler (US) 8:23.36, 3. 200M backstroke: Melissa Franklin (US) 2:05.10, 1; Belinda Hocking (Aus) 2:06.06, 2; Sharon van Rouwendaal (Ned) 2:07.78, 3. 50M butterfly: Inge Dekker (Ned) 25.71, 1; Therese Alshammar (Swe) 25.76, 2; Melanie Henique (Fra) 25.86, 3. 4x100 medley relay: US (N Coughlin, Rebecca Soni, D Vollmer, M Franklin) 3:52.36, 1; China (Zhao, Ji, Lu, Tang) 3:55.61, 2; Australia (B Hocking, Leisel Jones, A Coutts, M Dingjan) 3:57.13, 3.