Phelps wins sixth Olympic gold medal

US swimmer Michael Phelps wins his sixth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics, defeating rivals Laszlo Cseh and teammate Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley. Spl: Beijing Olympics

Michael Phelps on Friday won his sixth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics, defeating rivals Laszlo Cseh and teammate Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley.

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Phelps defended his title from four years ago in Athens, winning in 1 minute, 54.23 seconds and lowering his own world record of 1:54.80 set at last month's US Trials. It was the American's sixth world mark in Beijing.

Cseh took the silver in 1:56.52, the Hungarian's third runner-up finish to Phelps in Beijing.

Lochte earned the bronze in 1:56.53, 29 minutes after he upset defending champion Aaron Peirsol to win the 200 backstroke.