Record-breaker Lochte proves point

Ryan Lochte became the first swimmer to break a long-course world record since performance-enhancing suits were banned when he lowered his own mark and beat Michael Phelps in the process in the 200metres individual medley at the World Championships in Shanghai.

The 26-year-old took a tenth of a second off the mark he set at the last World Championships in Rome two years ago to finish in one minute 54.00 seconds - 0.16secs ahead of Phelps, who swam a personal best.

Having beaten Phelps in the 200m freestyle, the pair fought out their own personal duel at the Oriental Sports Centre, and Lochte said: "It was definitely something I wanted to do, something that everybody thought wasn't possible. Since they banned those suits everybody thought a world record would never get touched again, I just wanted to show everyone that can happen."

He added: "After all that hard work I've done this year and all that dedication, everyone can start realising, 'hey it's possible', so hopefully a lot more records will fall."

Phelps, who has only fully committed himself to training in the last eight months, said: "He's really done all the little small things right.

"He has more comfortable speed now than he had before. He's super focused.

"He's just more prepared. Things are always won by people who are most prepared.

"To go faster than he did in 2009 is incredible."

The 14-time Olympic champion added: "That one frustrated me more than anything. I thought I was going to get that one."

Lochte returned 50 minutes after his record swim to lead the 200m backstroke field in 1:55.65 while Kosuke Kitajima is fastest into the 200m breaststroke in 2:08.81.