Former UF Gator beats Michael Phelps for gold medal

Posted Jul 26, 2011 by Aaron Oberlin

Updated Jul 26, 2011 at 06:21 PM

There Ryan Lochte stood Tuesday, at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, wearing the fourth gold medal America won at 14th FINA World Championships.

Next to him: legendary swimmer Michael Phelps with a silver medal.

The former University of Florida swimmer Lochte clocked an Olympic Qualifying Time of 1:44.44 in the 200-meter freestyle title. It was his first time he defeated U.S. teammate Phelps in a Worlds or Olympics event.

It seemed Phelps would win the race at the 50- and 100-meter marks, but Lochte prevailed on the final turn.

“I knew Michael wanted to go out to clean water,” Lochte told reporters, “so I had to stay in striking distance and just work what I’m good at, those underwaters on each turn. It’s a big confidence boost.

“Hopefully, this win will help carry me in my other races.”

Lochte will try to add a fifth gold medal to America’s tally tomorrow, when he tries to defend his 200-meter individual medley crown, in which he holds a world record with a 1:54.10.

CURRENT GATOR SWIMMER’S RESULTS
Men’s 200-meter butterfly (semifinals)
-Marcin Cieslak (Poland), 11th, 1:56.13, Olympic Qualifying Time

Men’s 200-meter butterfly
-Marcin Cieslak (Poland), 10th, 1:56.56, Olympic Qualifying Time (advances to semifinals)
-Sebastien Rousseau (South Africa), 17th, 1:57.15