Phelps wins 16th gold

Micgael Phelps

Michael Phelps claimed the 16th Olympic gold medal of his amazing career and 20th in total with a thrilling victory in the men's 200m Individual Medley.

RENANG INDONESIA-Phelps led from start to finish and held off fast-finishing USA team-mate Ryan Lochte down the final freestyle leg to win in 1:54.27, just 0.04 outside his own Olympic record.

It means that Phelps is the first man to win the event at three consecutive Games and came just 48 hours after he won his 18th and 19th Olympic medals to overtake Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina, who held the previous record with 18.

Lochte, who had been forced to settle for bronze in the 200m Backstroke final 30 minutes earlier, took silver in 1:54.90, with Hungary's Laszlo Cseh taking bronze.

Later on, the Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo ensured there would not be a USA clean sweep of the four finals, powering to victory in the 100m Freestyle and lowering her Olympic record - set yesterday - to 53.00.

The 21-year-old was only fourth at the turn but stormed down the final length to finish ahead of Aliaksandra Herasimenia and China's Yi Tang