Michael Phelps edges Ryan Lochte for 200 IM gold (Courtesy US Presswire)
LONDON (USA TODAY) - Michael Phelps held on to beat Ryan Lochte in their showdown in the 200-meter individual medley at the London Olympics on Thursday.
Phelps won gold in 1:54.27, .63 seconds ahead of Lochte. Hungary's Laszlo Cseh won bronze.
It was the second and last finals meeting between Phelps and Lochte at the Games. Lochte won gold in the 400 IM, in which Phelps finished fourth.
Phelps now has 20 career Olympic medals and Lochte 11. With two medals Thursday, Lochte finishes the meet second only to Phelps as the most decorated U.S. male Olympian.
Phelps became the first man to win an individual event at three consecutive Games.
In Lochte's other final Thursday, he finished third behind winner Tyler Clary and Japan's Ryosuke Irie in the men's 200 backstroke. Lochte had roughly 22 minutes to get ready for the 200 IM.
In the 200 back, Clary's time of 1:53.41 broke the Olympic record (1:53.94) that was set by Lochte four years ago.