Ryan Lochte dethrones Michael Phelps from the 400m IM podium – 2012 London Olympic Games
Ryan Lochte of USA has dethroned the defending champion, Michael Phelps in the 400m Individual Medley (IM) on first day of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the London Aquatic Centre on Saturday, July 28.
The 27-year-old Lochte showered his gruelling efforts in the eight-lap IM discipline as he outshined his challengers over the finishing end for gold medal. With his unmatchable pace, he remained comfortably ahead of the 14-time Olympic champion, Phelps,
who failed to reach the podium.
Lochte remained prominently ahead of his rivals from the start and tapped the finishing blockade for gold medal by producing an effort of 4 minutes and 05.18 seconds.
His title claiming effort remained 3.68 seconds ahead of Thiago Pereira of Brazil, who followed him on the medal rostrum for silver medal by clocking a time of 4 minutes and 08.86 seconds.
Third position of the race was secured by Kosuke Hagino of Japan, who stayed only 0.08 seconds slower and managed to outperform Phelps over the finishing wall by posting an effort of 4 minutes and 08.94 seconds.
The bronze medallist was trailed by Phelps, who lost his pet event and transpired on the finishing blockade as fourth position holder by hitting the wall with the timing of 4 minutes and 09.28 seconds.
Phelps was chased by Chad le Clos of South Africa, who remained almost three body lengths slower and occupied fifth position of the discipline by producing an effort of 4 minutes and 12.42 seconds.
Sixth fastest spot of the event was secured by Yuya Horihata of Japan, who suffered a loss of 0.88 seconds from his foregoing finisher and tapped the wall with the timing of 4 minutes and 13.30 seconds.
Horihata was trailed by Thomas Fraser-Holmes of Australia, who obtained seventh position of the discipline with an effort of 4 minutes and 13.49 seconds.
Last spot of the race was secured by Luca Marin of Italy, who finished eighth with the timing of 4 minutes and 14.89 seconds.
In addition, Lochte received a huge round of applause from his fans at the victory ceremony of the event.
Tags: