Michael Phelps proved his versatility on Wednesday, winning two titles at the national championships in events that aren't among his best.

　　Phelps missed a world record by less than a second while winning the 200-meter backstroke in 1 minute, 56.10 seconds, the fifth fastest time ever for that distance. He was ahead of world record pace after 100 meters.

　　Earlier on Wednesday, Phelps came from behind to win the 100 freestyle in 49.19, his best time for the event.

　　The 18-year-old Baltimore native competed for the first time since he won four gold medals and set five world records at last month's World Championships in Barcelona.

　　At the nationals in Maryland, Phelps is swimming in events that for the most part aren't considered among his specialties. He said the 100 is to prepare for competing in freestyle relays and the 200 backstroke was to test his strength for the distance.

　　He's sitting out the 400-meter individual medley and the 200 butterfly, both distances he set world records in Barcelona. He will, however, defend his world record in the 200 individual medley tomorrow.

　　What he found on Wednesday was that he has some work to do.

　　"That last 30 meters (of the backstroke) was pretty painful," he said. "I felt like I hit a brick wall."

　　In the 200 backstroke, Phelps faded over the last 100 meters to fall short of Aaron Peirsol's world mark of 1:55.15.

　　He lagged in the pack at the turn of the 100 freestyle, but pushed ahead in the last 50 meters for the win, the 10th fastest time in the world this year.

　　Overall, he said he was pleased with his swimming. "I wanted to swim fast times, and I was happy with what I did," he said.

　　In women's races, Sarah Wanezek won the 100 freestyle in 55.73; Caroline Bruce won the 200 breaststroke in 2:27.88; Jennifer Fratesi of Canada won the 200 backstroke in 2:13.55; and Kaitlin Sandeno won the 200 butterfly in 2:08.78.

　　In other men's races, Gary Marshall won the 200 breaststroke in 2:13.28 and Brian Johns of Canada won the 200 butterfly in 1:59.29.

　　Phelps emerged as the top men's swimmer in Barcelona, upstaging rival Australian Ian Thorpe and likely setting up an Olympic showdown between the two next summer in Athens.

　　He is expected to have a chance of breaking Mark Spitz's 1972 Olympic record of seven gold medals. His World Championship performance broke Spitz's mark of most world records set in one meet.