American Caeleb Remel Dressel celebrates after winning the men’s 100m butterfly final during the swimming competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, on July 29, 2017. AFP
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Caeleb Dressel won a historic seventh gold medal in Budapest on Sunday as the USA claimed the men’s 4x100m medley relay title at the world championships — before admitting his math test worries.
After Dressel swam the third leg, Nathan Adrian touched the wall first for the USA at three minutes, 27.91 seconds with Britain taking silver at 1.04, while Russia earned bronze at 1.45.
The 20-year-old Dressel has now matched US swimming legend Michael Phelps’ record of seven gold medals from a single worlds set at the 2007 championships in Melbourne.
“I don’t know, I’ve never had it happen so I don’t really know what to say,” said Dressel when asked how it felt to be level with Phelps.
“I’m just happy to be done.
“I’m going to take a little break, see some of my teammates in Europe, Poland, Scotland.
“The atmosphere here has been an absolute blast, I just want to enjoy myself now.”
Dressel’s seven golds included three individual titles in the 50m, 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly, plus relay golds in the 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m mixed freestyle, 4x100m mixed medley and Sunday’s 4x100m medley.
He became the first swimmer to claim three world golds in one session on Saturday by winning the 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly and mixed 4x100m freestyle titles in a jaw-dropping 98-minute spell.
Dressel’s stunning display has earned comparisons with both Phelps and Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
His performances have been the icing on the cake for the USA, who finished with 38 swimming medals in Budapest — over five times more than nearest rivals Britain, who managed seven.
Dressel said he was tired after a draining 48 hours.
“I’m very happy to be done, pretty tired,” he said.
“Its been a good season, a good year, there are a lot more that goes into this than what people see in seven days.
“It’s great, I guess it was all going into here.
“I knew I had a chance in a few events and, of course, the real prize for America are the relays which are also a lot of fun.
“We didn’t do so great at the 2015 champs, so to come here and, coming off Rio, do so well — the medal table speaks for itself.”
His achievements unsurprisingly earned the University of Florida ace the award for the best male swimmer at the championships.
However, before he goes off on holiday, Dressel must sit a math test on Tuesday.
“Probably not, it’s probably going to go pretty bad,” he replied when asked if was ready for the test.
“I will probably be happy with a B-minus, that is the next goal when the meet’s over, to get over that math test.
“I’ve had a decent semester with it, it’s been all online and I am not good on online.”
Nevertheless, his exploits in Budapest have been hailed by his team-mates.
“It’s incredible, watching Caeleb is the coolest thing for me — that kid is unbelievable, how he motivates himself, watching how he keeps his composure,” said America’s Chase Kalisz, who won the 200m and 400m IM golds in Budapest.
“I’m watching how he steps on the blocks. Every single race, he is ready to race, he is ready to go.
“This is how Team USA functions, we all feed off each other’s energy.” CBB