Ryan Lochte Stunns Michael Phelps Once Again, Wins 200m IM (PHOTOS)

The rising super swimmer of the U.S. did it again. Ryan Lochte once again overpowered 14-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps in the World Swimming Championship in Shanghai on Thursday.

Lochte beat Phelps in 200m Individual Medley by finishing the race in just 1:54.00 seconds creating a new world record by breaking his own record of 1:54.10 which he created in last world championship in Rome. It was the first world record set in the championship so far. Forty-three world records were created at the 2009 world swimming championship held at Rome, after which the hi-tech bodysuits were banned.

The two time Olympic champion in the event, Michael Phelps finished the race in 1:54.16 to claim his third medal in the championship followed by Laszlo Cseh of Hungary who clocked 1:57.69 seconds to win bronze.

This is Lochte's second gold in the eight-day championship. Two days ago Lochte beat his teammate Phelps in 200m freestyle to clinch his first gold.

Happy news for the U.S. continued pouring in with Olympic champion Rebecca Soni reaching women's 200m Breaststroke final, which may get the crucial gold for the U.S. to surpass Russia.

The 4X200m freestyle relay team consisting of the U.S. quartet of Melissa Franklin, Dagny Knutson, Katie Hoff and Allison Schmitt won the final race in 7:46.14 second to win the seventh gold medal for their country leaving Australia and China who win silver and bronze by clocking 7:47.42 and 7:47.66 seconds respectively.

With the win of Lochte and the relay team, the U.S. which is at present at third spot in the medal tally has come very near to the second positioned Russia with a difference of just one gold medal. China is leading the tally with 14 gold, 11 silver and seven bronze, followed by Russia (eight gold, four silver and three bronze) and the U.S. (seven gold, five silver and four bronze).