Olympic champion, Michael Phelps collected all his strength on Wednesday and proved his superiority at the World Swimming Championship in Shanghai by winning 200m butterfly race.

The defending champion clocked 1:53.34 seconds to win his first gold in the championship.

Japan's Takeshi Matsuda secured silver by finishing the race in 1:54.01 second followed by local hero Wu Peng who clocked 1:54.67 seconds to claim bronze medal.

With Phelps' win America now has five gold medals with four silver and bronze. China is leading the medal tally with 13 gold, 11 silver and five bronze, followed by Russia (seven gold, four silver and three bronze) and the U.S.

The win came after a long series of losses and just a year ahead of London Olympics after which the legend is going to retire.

"The race felt good. I wanted to do what I usually do when I'm in better shape," said Phelps after the race. "I wanted to step on it from the get go."

Phelps is competing in 100-m butterfly, 200-m Individual Medley and three relays in coming days.

Earlier to the butterfly even, Phelps and Ryan Lochte secured their places in 200-m Individual Medley

Phelps won the fifth heat of the medley in 1:59.48 seconds where as Lochte clocked 1:59.04 seconds to win the sixth medley. Lochte and Phelps finished fourth and eighth fastest overall respectively.

Brazil's Thiago Pereira qualified fastest for the semi-finals in 1:57.82 seconds.

Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S. prepares to jump into the pool at the start of the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S. jumps into the pool at the start of the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S. is seen underwater as he competes in the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S. is seen underwater as he competes in the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S. is seen underwater as he approaches the finish line in the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S.competes in the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Back into Form
Michael Phelps of the U.S.competes in the men's 200m butterfly final at the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai July 27, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Gold Russia China Silver