Phelps and Hansen set new world records

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Aug 21 (Reuters) Americans Michael Phelps and Brendan Hansen broke their own world records at the Pan Pacific Championships.

Phelps won his fifth gold medal of the competition in the 200-metre individual medley yesterday, his time of 1:55.84 beating his previous mark of 1:55.94 set three years ago in Maryland.

Hansen lowered his own record in the 200 metres breaststroke, winning the event in 2:08.50 to eclipse his previous time of 2:08.74.

''We make it look easy but it's really hard,'' Hansen told reporters. ''A lot of hard work went in to that.'' REUTERS PDS VC1008