Will Missy Franklin Follow Footsteps of Michael Phelps? (World Swimming Championships Video)

Aug 03, 2013 08:13 AM EDT


Missy Franklin Swims sets new Championships record for 200m backstroke.(Photo:AP)

Missy Franklin of the USA won her fifth gold medal of the world swimming championships after a comfortable win in 200m backstroke Saturday. Her winning time was 2:04.76, a new Championships record.

The best mark at FINA’s major event had been set by Kirsty Coventry in Rome 2009, when she got the gold in 2:04.81.

The 18-year-old tied the record for most golds by a woman at worlds, matching American Tracy Caulkins in 1978 and Australian Libby Trickett in 2007.

Franklin has already won 200m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 4x100m free relay and 4x200m free relay. She has one event remaining — the 400 medley relay — and a chance to join Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and Kristin Otto as the only swimmers to win as many as six golds at worlds or the Olympics.

Click HERE to see Franklin wins the 5th Gold.