Munz Leads Gold Rush for the U.S.

Diana Munz won the first of four consecutive gold medals for the United States on Wednesday in the Pan Pacific swimming championships at Yokohama, Japan.

The Americans lead the six-day meet with 16 golds. Australia is second with nine, paced by Ian Thorpe, who won his fifth gold Wednesday in winning the men’s 100-meter freestyle.

Munz won the women’s 800-meter freestyle in 8 minutes, 31.89 seconds for her third gold of the meet. Japan’s Sachiko Yamada won silver in 8:31.89, and Hayley Peirsol, a senior at Newport Harbor High, was third in 8:32.27.

“I’m happy to come out with three medals,” Munz said. “I’m not too pleased with my time, though. I was running out of steam after 400.”

World-record holder Aaron Peirsol, a freshman at Texas, earned his second gold, overtaking Australia’s Matt Welsh after the first 50 meters in the men’s 200 backstroke.

Peirsol, who set the 200 world mark at the 2001 world championships, clocked 1:56.88. He won by a half body-length over Welsh, who touched in 1:57.69.

“I was dying near the end,” said Peirsol, who also won the men’s 100 backstroke. “I was aware of [Welsh] at the first 50 and that really pushed me. It’s hard to get a good time here.”

The U.S. won its third gold in the women’s 200 breaststroke when Amanda Beard touched in 2:26.31. Australian Leisel Jones was second (2:26.42), and Kristy Kowal (2:27.59) took the bronze.

Lindsay Benko then anchored the women’s U.S. 800 freestyle relay team to victory over Australia in 7:56.96.

Thorpe clocked 48.84 seconds to edge compatriot Ashley Callus (49.26) and American Nate Dusing (49.47) in the men’s 100 freestyle.

Thorpe will be bidding for his sixth gold when he takes part in the 400-meter relay today--the final day of competition.

Boxing

Canadian boxer Joe Gatti was released from the hospital at Leipzig, Germany, four days after he was knocked out in a fight and then collapsed.

Gatti, 35, was beaten by Germany’s Sven Ottke in an IBF super-middleweight title fight on Saturday and collapsed in his hotel room a few hours later. He sustained a mild concussion and minor bleeding in his brain.

WBA lightweight champion Leonard Dorin broke his arm in a cycling accident in Montreal, forcing him to postpone his title defense, which was planned for November.

Dorin was cycling recently with his family when the accident occurred, said Jacques Theriault, a spokesman for Dorin’s promoter.

Miscellany

Nevada Las Vegas basketball Coach Charlie Spoonhour signed a one-year contract extension through the 2004-05 season. Spoonhour led the Runnin’ Rebels to a 21-11 record and an NIT appearance last season, his first at the school.

Ty Tryon, the youngest player to earn his PGA Tour card, has recovered from mononucleosis and plans to return to competition next week at the Utah Classic on the Buy.com Tour. Tryon, 18, earned his card at 17 years, six months and one day.

Glendale High football player Jason Chamberlin was released from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Wednesday, one week after collapsing and losing consciousness during a practice. Chamberlin, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound sophomore lineman, suffered from heatstroke and dehydration.

Alexei Kovalev rejected the Pittsburgh Penguins’ initial offer on a long-term contract extension. Kovalev is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $4.6 million this season. He said last week that he wants to be among the league’s top-paid players.... The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman Derrick Walser and center Blake Bellefeuille.