Missy Franklin wins 2nd gold at swimming worlds

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Barcelona, Spain • Missy Franklin won her second gold medal of the world swimming championships Tuesday, pulling away for an easy victory in the 100-meter backstroke.

There was no time to celebrate, however.

Franklin shook the water out of her ears, gave a brief hug to silver medalist Emily Seebohm, and hustled off to get ready for the semifinal of the 200 freestyle.

The winning time was 58.42 seconds. Seebohm, of Australia, was next in 59.06, with the bronze medal going to Japan's Aya Terakawa in 59.23.

Franklin is trying to join Michael Phelps as the only swimmers to claim eight gold medals at a major championship. She is now 2 for 2 at the Palau Sant Jordi, adding to her gold in the 4x100 free relay.

In the first event of the night, Yannick Agnel of France blew away the field — Ryan Lochte included — in the 200 freestyle.

The big Frenchman pushed the pace right from the start and only seemed to get stronger as everyone else labored to keep up. He touched in 1 minute, 44.20 seconds, a full body length ahead, setting off another wild celebration from the large French contingent in the crowd.

The Americans did pick up a medal, but not necessarily from the swimmer they expected. Conor Dwyer, a friend and former training partner of Phelps, took the silver in 1:45.32. Danila Izotov of Russia claimed bronze in 1:45.59.

Lochte labored to the finish in fourth place, 0.05 off to the podium.

"It wasn't my night," Lochte said. "But I have to put it behind me because I still have many races to swim."

The three-time Olympian hopes to compete in seven events in Barcelona, despite not being able to train as much as usual this year while taking part in his reality television show, "What Would Ryan Lochte Do?"

Agnel is actually a training partner of Dwyer's, having moved recently to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club to work with Phelps' longtime coach, Bob Bowman.