Thorpe has rewritten the freestyle record books

His performance in the 200m freestyle was awe-inspiring.

He smashed his own world record with a gold-medal winning time of one minute 44.06 seconds, over two and half seconds quicker than Lamberti's benchmark.

His haul of five world championship golds has equalled the performances of American swimming legends Jim Montgomery in 1973 and Tracy Caulkins in 1978.

And his 12th individual world record since 1998 places him on a par with the very best the world of swimming has ever seen.

Still only 18, the "Thorpedo" is as dominant in the pool as ever were Mark Spitz or Johnny Weismuller - often considered the two greatest swimmers of all time.

But the Australian superstar knows that it is Olympic golds that will weigh most heavily when his career is eventually assessed.

Weismuller was the finest swimmer of his era

Although he picked up three golds in Sydney, it was considered by many to be a disappointing return for a legend-in-the-making swimming in his own backyard.

Thorpe's response has been emphatic.

First, he smashed the world record that Pieter Van den Hoogenband set in beating him in the finals of the 200m freestyle in Sydney.

Then he lowered that mark again to destroy his Dutch rival by 1.75 seconds in Fukuoka.

Although American Anthony Ervin and van den Hoogenband would gain a degree of revenge over Thorpe in the 100m freestyle, the Australian is untouchable over any other distance up to the endurance specialists' 1500m.

And who is to say that a Thorpe not tired from his exertions over 200m, 400m and 800m - not too mention his three relay outings - would not beat all-comers over 100m, too.

Spitz claimed an incredible seven golds at Munich

Spitz and Weismuller - the men against whom Thorpe will become increasingly measured - had similar strangleholds in their eras.

Spitz, who also swam butterfly, famously won seven golds at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He also set 24 individual world records.

Weismuller, who would go on to star in 16 Tarzan films, claimed five Olympic golds and posted an incredible 51 world records.

Weismuller's mark of 51 seconds for 100 yards lasted 17 years, and he was also the first man to break a minute for the 100m and five minutes for 400m.

For the meantime, Thorpe will continue to receive attention for his remarkable physical gifts - his size 17 feet being the most remarkable - but before long the media focus will shift on to his place in the sport's history.

Thorpe has been the biggest star in Fukuoka

Until that time the modest Thorpe will attempt to avoid comparisons with Spitz and co.

"It doesn't sit comfortably with me until my career is finished," he said after his 200m demolition job on Wednesday.

"I don't yet know where the line is but when I find it I hope I can jump over it.

"I don't know what the future holds or how far I can go in swimming but what I do know is this night is as good as it gets."

His rivals will be wondering if this is as good as he gets.