Lochte on form, Brodie slumps at world short-course swimming champs

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — World champion Ryan Lochte began his 400m medley title defence by easing to a place in the final as well as taking a spot in the last 16 of the 50m freestyle at the world short-course swimming championships here on Thursday.

The American is in top form and clearly had plenty of reserve in both events but Australian Leith Brodie, who had the third best entry time for the 400m medley, paid the price for a poor backstroke leg, which cost him a place in the final.

The 21-year-old, who will compete in the 200m medley in Beijing, said: "I just couldn't go any faster. That's all I had. I haven't really been training for the 400 IM so I wasn't expecting too much out of it but I've got the 200 IM to come so hopefully I can do a better job in...