Swimming dude with attitude problem?
With his girlfriend waving enthusiastically from the stands, Michael Phelps - in pretty top form for the most part and geared up to meet the competition (well, almost; he bowed out of one individual medley with the jitters) - nabbed 4 gold medals at last count today at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine (CA).
On occasion, the media star was late off the block, but - when it came to the wall - his turns were so precise that it caused a few sports commentators to refer to the studly swimmer as aquaman.
Underwater shots of the athlete's prowess revealed a style that was all power, full of grace, and a wonder for the eyes to behold.
In the final analysis, a strong focus - and controlled strokes - pushed the (of late "unpredicatable") smooth hard-body to the finish line to score gold booty time and time again.
Fortunately for Phelps - today's performances sharply contrasted with his last appearances at Irvine - where he was obviously out-of-shape (a big disappointment to fans in the stands) and struggling to keep ahead of a pack of hungry young swimmers on his tail vying for a spot on the coveted U.S. team alongside the Olympic Gold Medalist.
Today, in the first leg he contributed in the men's medley, Phelps boasted a record-breaker - which must have left the likeable swimmer beaming when he broke the surface of the water and caught sight of the numbers.
In one one fly race, Phelps glided in to capture a Gold Medal at the Pan Pacific at a respectable 50.86 seconds flat.
Michael has the distinction of currently being the only swimmer in America to hit the finish line with times below 51 seconds (to date).
But, earlier today, elusive Phelps caught reporters off-guard when he bowed out of one event.
Phelps withdrew from the preliminary heats of the 200-meter individual medley at the Pan Pacific Championships which means that there will not be a rematch against long-time rival Ryan Lochte (the swimmer snatched up 5 golds as of this morning; one more than Phelps).
“Michael is going to skip the 200 IM this moarning so he can concentrate on the relay tonight,” coach Bob Bowman explained to startled reporters before the heat bright and early this morning.
The reason?
"It’s going to take three really good swims to get through that...and neither one of us feel...like he’s got three really good ones," his coach confessed.
Is Lockte edging out Phelps as the Numero Uno attraction at swim meets in America?
The scuttlebutt is not good.
Phelps backing down from healthy swim challenges?
The kid's trainer has been worried by the sudden change in the Phelps modus operandi.
This is the first year Phelps willfully ignored training plans without excuse, for instance.
"Some days he would just not show for practice," Bob Bowman confirmed for the record.
On occasion, the high-profile celeb was more inclined to dash off for a round of golf.
"There would be no phone call, no heads up," as Bowman anxiously walked the plank poolside a little perplexed by the unexpected turn-of-events.
Has Michael become water-logged - and lost interest in the sport - perchance?
The absences - and failure to communicate with handlers for days on end - some find alarming.
"Sometimes, I would get worried: 'Is he OK?'" Bowman confided to the press.
Is he?
News at 11!
"Sometimes, I would get worried: 'Is he OK?'" Bowman confided to the press.
Is he?
News at 11!
Too much bonging & banging?
