Michael Phelps didn’t get off to the greatest start at the 2011 World Championships as he took second place behind Ryan Lochte in the 200 meter freestyle Tuesday morning. Phelps recovered quite nicely in the 200 meter butterfly on Wednesday, however, winning his first gold medal in what the swimmer considers his favorite event.
Michael Phelps Wins His First Gold Of 2011 World Championships
Phelps finished the 200 meter swim in one minute and 53.34 seconds to take home his third consecutive world championship in the event, defeating Japan’s Takeshi Matsuda and China’s Wu Peng by more than one-half second to put the American swimmer back on track in Shanghai.
After the race, Phelps alluded to himself getting in better shape after earlier admitting that he may have went into this year’s Championships in less than stellar shape.
"The race felt good. I wanted to do what I usually do when I'm in better shape," Phelps said. "I wanted to step on it from the get-go. I saw the other swimmers at the 150 and I put my hips into it. I know there's a lot more I can do in that race. I'm feeling back to where I want to be. It feels good."
Phelps also qualified for Thursday’s 200 meter individual medley final to be held on Thursday so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to build off if his new-found momentum.
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