INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, 9 October 2004 — Olympic star Michael Phelps made a triumphant start to the World Short Course Swim Championships here Thursday but fellow American Kaitlin Sandeno stole his thunder with a triple-title effort.

Phelps, whose eight medals at Athens included six golds, began his drive for five titles by winning the 200 freestyle for his first world short course crown in 1 min, 43.59 secs with top qualifier Rick Say of Canada second in 1:44.39.

“I wanted to get out that first 100. I knew Rick was going too. I wanted to go out with him,” Phelps said.

“I was feeling pretty bad the last 75m. I was definitely in pain but I was satisfied with the time.”

Sandeno won the 400 individual medley and 200 butterfly and anchored a US 4x200 free relay win after being hit in the left eye by another swimmer in a warm-up pool during morning heats, suffering headaches and a mild concussion.

“I didn’t think I was going to swim but I did,” Sandeno said. “Just one more obstacle to overcome. Swimming three races was a huge challenge but I did it. I’m excited I swam this well because I’m not in shape.”

Sandeno took Olympic silver in the 400 individual medley and bronze in the 400 free but settled for fourth in the 200 butterfly at Athens.

“I’m just swimming off adrenaline and heart,” Sandeno said. “I’m still on an adrenaline high from Athens.”

Sandeno, 21, pulled ahead in the final 25 meters to win the 200 butterfly in 2:06.95 with compatriot Mary Descenza second in 2:07.79. In the 400 IM, Sandeno won in 4:30.12 with US teen Katie Hoff second in 4:33.09.

Then she joined Dana Vollmer, Rachel Komisarz and Lindsay Benko on a relay victory in 7:47.72 with Australia second at 7:51.39. Sandeno’s triumphant day left her feeling like Phelps. “Mike has got nothing on me,” Sandeno said. “Mike has quite the agenda himself. I just like to get all mine over with in one day.” Phelps was also plans to swim the 400 IM, the 200 IM today, the 100 IM tomorrow and the 200 butterfly Monday on the final day of the event, which has more than 550 swimmers from 97 nations.

Phelps won Olympic gold in the 200 and 400 IMs, 100 and 200 butterfly, the 4x200 free relay and 4x100 medley relay but missed Mark Spitz’s record of seven golds, settling for 200 freestyle and 4x100 free relay bronzes.

In his first meet since the Games, Phelps broke the United States 200 free short course record of 1:44.10 set by Josh Davis at Athens in 2000.

“There are a few things I would change about that race but I’ll take it. I wanted to go 1:44. I achieved my goal. I’m pretty happy right now.”

US men won the 4x100 freestyle relay in 3:09.96, .39 off the world record set by Sweden in 2000.

The Americans might have claimed the mark had Phelps participated. He was asked to swim but said coach Bob Bowman vetoed the idea.

“I was (going to swim) but I wanted my coach to decide,” Phelps said.

Phelps admitted he still feels tired after his Olympic performance. He doubts this was his toughest fight of the five-day meet. “There’s probably going to be a lot of tough races,” he said. “I’m glad I have one under the belt.”

Basketball legend Larry Bird, a Pacer executive, gave Phelps his gold medal.

“How could you not (be thrilled)?” said Phelps, who treasures a Pacer jersey signed by Bird. “I’m going to have a little memorabilia room in my house.

That’s one of the first things that goes up on the wall.” Australian teen Jade Edmistone, who set the world short course record of 29.90 last month, led 50 breaststroke finalists in a time of 30.01.

“I wanted to go as fast as I could and get a good spot in the final,” said Edmistone. “I didn’t go to the Olympics so I have been training for this meet for six months.”