25 March, 2007
Korea´s Tae Hwan Park has come with a barnstorming late run to win the men´s 400m freestyle title at the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne in the first gold medal decided in the swimming program.

Park was fourth with 50 metres remaining in the race, but had plenty let in the tank overpowering Tunisia´s Oussama Mellouli and Australian world champion Grant Hackett to win in three minutes 44.30 seconds. His winning margin was 0.72 of a second.

American Peter Vanderkaay, the fastest qualifier, set the early pace, before Hackett took control in the third 50m. At the 200m mark, Hackett had a 0.32 advantage over Mellouli, but the Tunisian closed the gap and by the 300m turn had a 0.21 second advantage.

With 50m to go Mellouli looked set for gold, with Russia´s Yury Pilukov the only real danger having overtaken Hackett heading into the final surge.

But the race changed complexion completely late in the race, as Park surged from out of the placings to the front in a matter of metres. Mellouli claimed second, while Hackett battled away well to take bronze.

Park said the win was as much a surprise to him as anyone.

"We did not know what was going to happen," he said. "It is the first time for me to win a medal so I´m very happy. I want to show everyone that I can get a gold medal."

Park said he had gained considerable confidence from his performance at the Asian Games in Doha.

"I have had a good preparation for these Championships and so we´ll find out what my good and bad points are."

Mellouli was also surprised with his performance, having claimed a rare medal for the North African country.

"I did not expect myself to do it, but I´m feeling great, and doing great, so I am happy with a medal," he said.

-release source ; www.melbourne2007.com.au-

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