15 August 2004	Sunday	28 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ATHENS, Aug 14: China's shooters and the judokas of Japan won the first four gold medals of the Athens Olympics on Saturday as American swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps collected the first of at least seven golds he is aiming for.

The 19-year-old took the first step to equalling the magnificent seven won by Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics when he set a new world record to win the 400 metres individual medley.

Ian Thorpe then narrowly won the 400m freestyle final from fellow Australian Grant Hackett.

Japanese judo ace Tadahiro Nomura captured his third gold medal in three consecutive Olympics when he narrowly outpointed Nestor Khergiani of Georgia in the men's under-60kg bantamweight final.

And Italian rider Paolo Bettini cycled to victory in the race around the streets of Athens for Europe's first gold of the 17 days of full competition. The first title of the Athens Games was decided on the shooting range.

China's Du Li scored a near bullseye to deprive Russia's Lioubov Galkina of victory with the last shot in the women's 10-metre air rifle final.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to win gold," Du said.

Wang Yifu overcame produced a similarly nerveless performance to strike gold in the men's 10m Air Pistol event for the second time in his career.

Du and Wang ensured China made a strong start in their quest to repeat their performance of the 2000 Sydney Olympics when they finished third in the medals' table with 28 golds.

In the pool, Phelps put clear water behind him and his competitors as he smashed his own 400m individual medley world record, clocking 4min 08.26sec en route to the gold.

Thorpe, a triple gold medallist four years ago in Sydney, was nearly caught by Hackett in the final few metres of the 400m freestyle final but the 21-year-old Australian hung on for victory.

Phelps and Thorpe are competing to be the star of the swimming, as the Australian has a chance to win six golds.

Away from the pool, Nomura's performance made him the first judoka to win titles in three or more consecutive Games and elevated him to the pantheon of greats such as American sprinter Carl Lewis and Danish sailor Paul Elvstrom.

British rower Matthew Pinsent eased into his attempt to win a fourth Olympic gold medal when his coxless four cruised through their heat to qualify for the semi-final.

The British crew of Pinsent, Olympic champion James Cracknell, Steve Williams and Ed Coode finished almost two seconds ahead of second-placed Italy.

"We were confident coming into the regatta and today has added to that," said Pinsent.

The first cycling title was collected by Italy as Bettini made his move two laps from the finish to join Portugal's Sergio Paulinho in a desperate sprint for the line and win the gruelling road race under a baking sun.

Belgium's Axel Merckx, son of legendary Tour de France winner Eddy, took the bronze medal as defending champion Jan Ullrich was 19th while Australia's Tour de France green jersey winner Robbie McEwen came in 11th.

Later fencer Aldo Montano of Italy struck Olympic gold in the men's individual sabre on Saturday beating Hungarian Zsolt Nemcsik 15-14 in a thrilling final.

"I am living a dream from my youth. Ever since I was born I was hoping for this. I can't understand what happened," Montana told reporters. "From this morning I had the feeling that something will happen today but I didn't expect this."

Ukrainian Vladislav Tretiak, ranked 24th going into the competition, took the bronze medal with a 15-11 win over Dmitri Lapkes of Belarus.

Montano, a 25-year-old from Livorno, who took bronze in the world championships in Havana last year, had to fight back from an early 5-1 deficit to take the bout which went to the last possible point.-Agencies