Phelps shocked as Biedermann claims world title and record

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Rome

THEY came expecting to see the swimming world shift on its axis and they were not disappointed.

SORROW OF SILVER: Michael Phelps won't be finishing this swim meeting with an all-golden return

Michael Phelps doesn't have many silver medals in his collection but he could do nothing to stop Germany's Paul Biedermann powering to 200m freestyle gold at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Biedermann announced his intention by shattering Ian Thorpe's long-standing 400m freestyle world record to win gold on Sunday night.

And he delivered on his pre-race fighting talk. He was quicker in qualifying, the semi-finals and, when it mattered, in the final.

His time of 1.42.00 took only a fraction of a second off the time Phelps set in the Water Cube last year.

The American was a full body length behind in 1.43.22 while Russia's Danila Izotov took bronze.

Biedermann was up on world record pace from the gun - and the second half of his race was even stronger than the first.

“It's still hard for me to believe that I defeated a legend like Michael,” said Biedermann.

“I’ve won two gold medals and I still have to swim the relay. I’ve not finished yet.

“Michael congratulated me immediately after the race and is a great champion.

"It is true that he has been training only for six months and he is not the same of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games but I’m so happy with gold.”