Milak breaks world record; 3 more US golds at swimming worlds

BUDAPEST, Hungary: Hungary’s Kristof Milak thrilled home fans by lowering his own world record in the men’s 200 butterfly at the swimming world championships on Tuesday, when American swimmers claimed another three gold medals.

The 22-year-old Milak produced a stunning swim to clock 1 minute, 50.34 seconds and earn Hungary their first gold medal of the competition.

“Now it hurts a lot, I don’t feel my legs,” said Milak, who shaved 0.39 seconds off the previous record he set at the last worlds. “I think I pushed a bit harder over the first 100 meters, that’s why it was so painful at the end but I really wanted this world record, wanted it more than anything.”

Milak was 3.03 quicker than Leon Marchand, who improved on the French record he set in the semifinals. Japan’s Tomoru Honda was third.

The 20-year-old Marchand later set another national record of 1:55.75 as he was fastest in the semifinals of the men’s 200 individual medley.

“Two great times today!” Marchand said.

American swimmer Bobby Finke also set a national record of 7:39.36 as he produced a sizzling finish to win the first gold of the evening in the men’s 800 freestyle.

Ukrainian swimmer Mykhailo Romanchuk looked headed for victory but Finke, who was fourth going into the last 50 meters, swam it in only 25.93 seconds to overtake both Romanchuk and Germany’s Florian Wellbrock for the victory.

“I was just thinking in my head it is just a 50 left. It is only like 26 seconds of pain and if I can pull off a win, it is worth it. I’ll settle through the pain,” Finke said.

Third-place Romanchuk finished just 0.69 seconds behind. He nearly didn’t make it to Budapest and spoke afterward about his father fighting in Ukraine.

China’s Yang Junxuan won the