Produced by Coleman Hodges.Â
Reported by Mitch Bowmile.Â
Michael Phelps is back.
Read that again, Michael Phelps is back.
If there was ever a doubt in anyone’s mind that Phelps would return to the 200m butterfly and rock it, Phelps proved them wrong with an incredible 1:52.94 performance.
That’s the fastest time in the world this year. That’s faster than he was at the 2012 London Olympic Games. That’s the first national title Phelps has won since the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Phelps went off to his winning ways in the event early, taking the lead right from the get-go and never relinquishing it. At the touch, he finished well ahead of all his competitors with the closest being Jack Conger in 1:54.54.
Conger came back hard on Phelps towards the end in order to put up the seventh fastest time in the world this year. Both Conger and Phelps were well ahead of bronze medalist Pace Clark who ended up finishing over three second behind Conger, and almost five behind Phelps with a 1:56.84.
God’s fury…
I can’t even tell you how great it is to hear Michael speaking with such emotion; I’m tearing up here! Keep up the good work Mr. Phelps!
Loved the race! Love the Interview. This interview shows that Michael has come to the spot of where he wants to be. The hiatus is over and he is ready to race. It might have been a shitty time for a while but it sure helped him grow internally. The swimmer has always been there. He is blessed. The great person is now there. He is blessed. I love where you are now at Michael. Swim fast!
This is so great for Michael. I cannot wait to see what he can improve on going into rio. I believe his world record time is 1:51. I don’t think that’s realistic, but then again we’re talking the greatest all time. My predictions for next year;
100 Fly: Silver or Gold to Chad Le Clos
200 Fly: Gold & Olympic record
200 IM: Who knows? I hope a gold/silver.
4×200 Free Relay: Silver to the Brits
4×100 Free Relay: Hopefully making the final!?
4×100 Medley Relay: Gold w/ Murphy, Cordes, and Adrian
I laughed out loud at your 4×100 prediction.
I would love to see him get gold in the 200 IM and/or 100 fly. That would be a four-peat, something no swimmer has done before in the Olympics. I get giddy just thinking about it.
Michael Phelps had a perfect race and he could still drop 0.5-1s from this time by Rio 2016. The simple reason for that is he has been working very hard. If he can go 1.53 without putting much work during London 2012 then he can surely go between 1:52-1.52.5 by Rio 2016.
D. Yes, I agree. Where is Tom from Chicago and his know it all- Phelps won’t even make the Olympic Team jargon?
So happy you mentioned that “un-desirable” 😉 thank you for that comment! Hell ya, #MP haters! #FlyBoy #GoldenBoyIsBack
It is SO great seeing him like this. I haven’t seen him this excited…maybe ever. Good vibes=fast swimming.
Maybe that Wheaties autographed box that I have may be worth something again!!!!