DHAKA: Michael Phelps is used to rewriting history -- now he’s eclipsing it too.

The US star claimed the 22nd Olympic gold of his Olympic career Thursday after powering past the opposition in the final of the 200-meter individual medley.

That victory, the 13th individual triumph of his Olympics career, meant he surpassed the greatest athlete of ancient Greece and indeed of the Games -- Leonidas of Rhodes, reports the CNN.

Phelps, who took his tally to four gold medals at Rio by winning the event for the fourth consecutive Games in succession edging out Japan’s Kosuke Hagino and China’s Wang Shun.

Phelps did not just win -- he smashed it. Then he jumped out of the pool to receive his medal before heading back in to qualify for Friday’s 100-meter butterfly final.

The 31-year-old, who is set to retire after the Games, could end up with five gold medals by the end of the competition.

Phelps was not the only gold medal winner for the US on a stunning night of swimming.

BDST: 1613 HRS, AUG 12, 2016
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