INDIANAPOLIS, Aug 2 (AFP): Michael Phelps won the 200-metre backstroke in a US Open record time at the US Swimming Championships Wednesday as world record- holder Ryan Lochte was relegated to fourth.
Phelps's winning time of 1:54.65 was just 33-hundredth outside Lochte's world record and was the third-fastest ever recorded.
"Going into the last 50 I actually knew what the pace was - I knew it was 1:25 flat," Phelps said. "The thing I wanted to see was a 1:24, so when it said 1:25 I thought, 'This isn't good.'
"The last 25 I started to tighten up so, I didn't get it (the world record). But that's what keeps me hungry - being so close to something and not getting it."
Chris was second in 1:56.75, and David Cromwell was third in 1:57.43.
Lochte emerged with the 400m medley title, albeit in the absence of world record-holder Phelps, who is skipped the event here to try his hand at less familiar events.
Lochte surged ahead of the field during the breaststroke to win in 4:13.55. Erik Vendt, who won the 1500m free on Tuesday, picked up his second medal of the meet as the runner-up in 4:15.84.
Dara Torres (40) received a standing ovation when she won the 100m freestyle.
The four-time Olympian bolted off the blocks to break out to an early lead at the 50-metre mark and won in 54.45. She then held off a deep field down the stretch, which included three other Olympians.
"You can't put an age on your dreams," Torres said. "I never thought I would be back here. It's a great feeling."
Olympian Amanda Weir was second in 54.79, while Dana Vollmer captured third in 54.95.
Phelps wins 200-metre backstroke
FE Team | Published: August 03, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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