Franklin Wins Record 6 Golds at Worlds

Missy Franklin claimed her record sixth gold medal of the FINA World Swimming Championships today, swimming the leadoff leg for a US win in the 400-meter medley relay. The 18-year-old Franklin is now the most successful female swimmer ever at the worlds. She eclipsed the women's record that had had been shared by Tracy Caulkins, who won five times at the 1978 worlds, and Libby Trickett, who did it in 2007. Franklin also joins Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz and East German Kristin Otto as the only swimmers to capture as many as six golds at either worlds or an Olympics.

Amazingly enough, Franklin was not named the top female swimmer of the meet. That award went to teammate Katie Ledecky, who won four golds and set two world records. She edged out Franklin based on a formula that doesn't count the relays and gives bonus points for world marks. (More World Swimming Championships stories.)