Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte in league of their own after 200m individual medley semifinal

Phelps, Lochte into 200m IM final

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NBC Olympics.com – Michael Phelps won his 21st career Olympic gold medal on Tuesday night, aided by Ryan Lochte in the 4x200m freestyle relay. By also winning gold, Lochte became the second most-decorated male Olympic swimmer of all-time.

But Wednesday, it was all about individual credentials at stake. Phelps and Lochte went head-to-head in their 200m individual medley semifinal.

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Phelps came away with the victory, clocking one minute, 55.78 seconds to post the fastest time across both semifinals. Lochte raced to 1:56.28. Both men will advance to Thursday night's final, about a second ahead of the rest of the field. Joining them in the final will be Brazil's Thiago Pereira, who won a silver medal in the 400m IM at the 2012 London Olympics and 400m IM gold medalist Kosuke Hagino of Japan.