Portland’s Ian Crocker records the third fastest time in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – It was a day like no male swimmer ever had.

Michael Phelps set world records in two events Friday at the World Swimming Championships, and he did it in less than an hour.

None of swimming’s greats – not Mark Spitz, not Matt Biondi, not even Ian Thorpe, the sport’s current star – managed to break records in two individual events on the same day.

Phelps turned in his unprecedented swims in the 100-meter butterfly (51.47 seconds) and the 200 individual medley (1:56.04).

Though Phelps is the first man to do it, Kornelia Ender of East Germany matched the feat of two records in as many events on the same day in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly at the 1976 Olympics.

Through six days of the worlds, Phelps has lowered world records four times in three events. And a few more could go over the weekend.

When he was 15, Phelps became the youngest man to set a world mark. Now 18, he seems unfazed by what’s he doing. Questions often yield a sheepish grin and short, repetitive answers from the Baltimore native.

When the scoreboard showed he had broken the 200 IM record, he bounded up and down in the pool at Palau Sant Jordi, smiling broadly and wagging both index fingers above his head like they were six-shooters and he was firing them to celebrate.

“I wouldn’t say anything is impossible,” Phelps said. “I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and you put the work and time into it. I think your mind really controls everything.”

Phelps now holds four world records – more than any current swimmer. He has two gold medals and one silver medal (800 freestyle relay) in the worlds, with three events to go.

Phelps has yet to win an Olympic medal, though.

That test will come a year from now in Athens, where the 6-foot-4 Phelps has a chance to supplant Thorpe as the sport’s top star and match Spitz’s record of seven golds set in 1972.

“I think he’s getting in the league with Ian Thorpe,” said Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman. “He’s clearly the guy who’s swimming at the cutting edge of his events.

“But before Michael can be named the No. 1 swimmer in the world, he has to have an Olympic performance that matches this.”

Friday’s 45-minute frenzy started when Andrii Serdinov of the Ukraine lowered the world mark in the 100 butterfly semifinals (51.76). His record was broken five minutes later by Phelps (51.47) in the second semifinal heat.

“I think seeing that, you could say it fired me up bit more,” Phelps said. “I was ready for that race.”

Ian Crocker of Portland recorded the third-fastest time in the semifinals at 52.21.

Phelps warmed down for 15 minutes, ate a quick-energy bar, changed suits and was back on the starting platform for the 200 IM.

This time he obliterated a record he had set Thursday in the semifinals. His 1:56.04 was 1 seconds better than his old mark.

Thorpe was second (1:59.66), more than 3 seconds behind.

Thorpe has three golds, one silver and one bronze at these championships. But he hasn’t broken any world marks and has been far off his best performances. Two years ago, at the worlds in Japan, he won six golds and broke three records.

“I see Michael as being an incredibly talented swimmer,” Thorpe said, sitting next to Phelps. “I have the utmost respect for him.”

Bowman is still hoping for more.

“I think Michael’s being swept along by the emotion of the performances and the environment here. Tonight he reached an emotional and psychological peak,” he said. “I just hope he’s got something in the tank. There’s not much now.”

In six days at the worlds, nine world marks have been broken and one equaled.

Also Friday, Amanda Beard won the 200 breaststroke in 2:22.99, matching the world mark China’s Qi Hui set two years ago, and Aaron Peirsol won the 200 backstroke in 1:55.92.

The United States beat Italy 8-6 to win the women’s water polo title.