By John Lohn<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE, Australia, April 1. IN a field that featured the four-time defending world champion and two-time defending Olympic champion, not to mention a handful of other big names, it was Poland's Mateusz Sawrymowicz who took the gold medal in the endurance test that is the 1500 freestyle. Sawrymowicz was timed in 14:45.94 for the 30-lap event and became the first non-Australian to win the world title since 1991.<\/p>\n
Sawrymowicz trailed Russia's Yury Prilukov during the early portion of the race, but once he took control, there was no denying the Polish star the gold medal. He bettered his personal best by nearly seven seconds and became just the fifth man to break 14:50. En route to the silver medal in 14:47.29, Prilukov became the sixth man under 14:50.<\/p>\n
The race featured Grant Hackett, he of Olympic glory, trying to win his fifth straight gold medal in the event, but a lack of fitness due to a combination of shoulder injuries and attention to his person life prevented another title. Hackett finished seventh while Olympic silver medalist Larsen Jensen was fourth in 14:52.98, behind the bronze-medal mark of Great Britain's David Davies (14:51.21).<\/p>\n
"For me, I knew it would be difficult to make the final with the way I was swimming," Hackett said. "Nothing has gone to plan. My fitness is not there at the moment, but I have to go back and start following that black line again. This will inspire me to do my best."<\/p>\n
Fifth place went to Italy's Federico Colbertaldo (14:56.22) and sixth went to Aussie Craig Stevens, who broke 15 minutes for the first time with a swim of 14:59.11. Following Hackett was American Erik Vendt in eighth (15:07.76).<\/p>\n