Lochte Wins 200-Meter Backstroke, Takes Third World Championship

Ryan Lochte of the U.S. took his third individual title at the world swimming championships in Shanghai by winning the 200-meter backstroke.

The American finished in 1 minute, 52.96 seconds, shaving one second off his best time over the distance. Japan’s Ryosuke Irie was second and Tyler Clary of the U.S. took the bronze medal.

Earlier today, Denmark’s Jeanette Ottesen and Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus tied for the 100-meter freestyle gold medal with a time of 53.45 seconds. Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands took the bronze in a time of 53.66 seconds.

Rebecca Soni of the U.S. won the 200-meter breaststroke final in a time of 2 minutes, 21.47 seconds. Yuliya Efimova of Russia took the silver medal and Canada’s Martha McCabe won the bronze.

Lochte yesterday broke his own world record in beating teammate and 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps in the 200-meter individual medley final. He also beat Phelps in the 200-meter freestyle three days ago. Phelps has won one individual gold medal in Shanghai, in the 200-meter butterfly.

Also scheduled for today are men’s finals in the 200-meter breaststroke and 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, in which Phelps and Lochte will swim for the U.S. team.

It’s the last major international swimming meet before the 2012 Olympics in London.

To contact the reporter on this story: Danielle Rossingh in London at drossingh@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser at celser@bloomberg.net.