S. Korean swimmer Park eliminated in 200-meter event

ROME, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Olympic medalist Park Tae-hwan failed to
book a spot in the final round of 200 meter freestyle competition at the World
Championships held in Rome on Monday.
The 20-year-old touched in 1:46.68, finishing fifth in his heat and 13th overall
in the semi-final round of the 200 meter freestyle event. U.S. world
record-holder Michael Phelps finished first in Park's group. Only top eight
swimmers advance to the finals.
Phelps and new 400 meter champion Paul Biedermann of Germany have advanced to the
finals scheduled for Tuesday.
Park won 200-meter silver medal in the Beijing Olympics last year after Phelps
with the Asian record and personal best of 1:44.85. He also grabbed the
200-meter-event bronze at the 2007 world championship tournament.
The South Korean player, who won the 400 meter freestyle competition of the
Beijing Olympics, stunned the world on Sunday as he failed to qualify for the
second round of the 400 meter event.
Park is also planning to compete in the 1,500 meter freestyle on Saturday.
brk@yna.co.kr
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