Swimming sensation Park Tae-hwan has lost his world title in the men's 400-meter freestyle.

Park Sunday failed in his quest to win a second straight title in the event at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

He finished third in heat 10 with a time of 3:46.04 and 12th overall. The swimmers with the eight fastest times advanced to Monday's final.

Park had won Korea's first Olympic gold medal in swimming last year in Beijing, China, claiming the event with an Asian record time of 3:41.96.

He also won his country's first swimming world title in the 2007 world championships in Melbourne, Australia, at age 17. He pulled off a stunning upset in the 400 meters over defending champion and hometown hero Grant Hackett

Park has two events remaining in this year's world championships. He will face eight-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps of the U.S. in the 200-meter freestyle Monday, and compete in the 1,500-meter freestyle next weekend.