Phelps defeats his team-mate Lochte to savour 16th gold medal success

Phelps led from the start and held off fast-finishing American team-mate Ryan Lochte down the final freestyle leg to win in one minute 54.27 seconds, just 0.04secs outside his own Olympic record.

It means Phelps is the first man to win the event at three consecutive Games, and it came just 48 hours after he won his 18th and 19th medals to become the most decorated Olympian in history, overtaking Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina who won 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.

Phelps, who will retire after the Games, said: “To be able to win the gold medal and be the first to ‘three-peat’ is something very special and something I am very happy about.”

Phelps could also win the 100m butterfly title for the third time in succession after later returning to the pool to win his semi-final in 50.86 and advance to the final as fastest qualifier.

American swimmers won three of the four finals on the sixth evening of competition, with Rebecca Soni getting the ball rolling in style, claiming gold in the 200m breaststroke by smashing her own world record.

Japan’s Satomi Suzuki claimed silver with Russian Iuliia Efimova taking bronze.

Tyler Clary then took gold in the 200m backstroke ahead of Japan’s Ryosuke Irie and defending champion Lochte, clocking an Olympic record of 1:53.41.

Holland’s Ranomi Kromowidjojo ensured there would not be an American clean sweep of the evening’s four finals, powering to victory in the 100m freestyle.