U.S. Swimmers Win Four Golds in Japan

U.S. swimmers won four of the five gold medals awarded Sunday on the opening day of the World University Games at Kobe, Japan. The U.S. swimmers also broke three meet records.

Matt Biondi of Moraga, Calif., who holds the world record in the men’s 100-meter freestyle, won the 200-meter freestyle in a time of 1:49.52, eclipsing a two-year-old games’ record of 1:51.19.

John Moffet of Costa Mesa, whose victory chances were spoiled by a muscle injury in the 1984 L.A. Olympics, captured the men’s 100-meter breaststroke in 1:02.88, bettering the old mark of 1:03.95.

Channon Hermstad of Mission Viejo won the women’s 400-meter individual medley in a time of 4:49.84, snapping the old record of 4:52.27.

A U.S. quartet anchored by Mary T. Meagher, world record-holder in two butterfly events, won the women’s 800-meter freestyle relay. The Americans won in 8:15.14, with the Soviet Union second in 8:21.78.

Conny van Bentum of the Netherlands won the other gold medal awarded, winning the women’s 100-meter freestyle in 55.87, a meet record.

The U.S. team also won one silver and one bronze medal in swimming.