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Phelps loses 100 freestyle at Santa Clara

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-15 20:01

Canadian swimmer Brent Hayden celebrates after defeating US swimmer Michael Phelps in the men's 100 meter freestyle event during the Santa Clara International Grand Prix swim meet in Santa Clara, California June 14, 2009. [Agencies]

"He always likes to win, but I think he made some progress in the 100 free and his time was pretty good in the 100 back," Phelps' coach Bob Bowman said. "The headline tomorrow is 'Phelps loses twice,' but it's something he just has to live with."

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Phelps set the American record of 47.51 in the 100 free as part of the victorious US relay at the Beijing Olympics, where he won a record eight gold medals.

Hayden didn't advance out of the semifinals in Beijing.

"I wasn't on my game," he said. "I'm not holding any regrets."

Sunday's result was a reversal of their 2007 race in Santa Clara. That's when Hayden led with 15 meters to go before Phelps sprinted past him to win.

"Anytime I get a chance to race Michael it's exciting," said Hayden, who will defend his title at next month's world meet in Rome. "It would be awesome to see him in the 100 at world championships."

Hayden offered a bit of advice to Phelps, who is focusing on shorter distances in the push toward his last Olympics in 2012.

"He's not really much of a sprinter," Hayden said. "Work on that front-end speed. Everyone knows he's got the fastest back-end of that race."

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