Ryan Lochte's victory in the mens' 200 metres freestyle at the world swimming championships in Shanghai not only allowed him to emerge from compatriot Michael Phelps's shadow but could set up a mouthwatering clash at next year's London Olympics.
Lochte's impressive turn at the 100 mark, when he exploded off the wall to catch, then overtake, Olympic champion Phelps, propelled him to the victory over a high-class field that included world record holder Paul Biedermann of Germany and South Korea's 400 metres freestyle champion Park Tae-hwan.
Phelps with his 14 Olympic gold medals has dominated swimming for a number of years and so does this victory mean Lochte is now the one to beat.
