RIO DE JANEIRO _ The final showdown between longtime rivals Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley instead turned into another display of Phelps' dominance at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Thursday.
Phelps touched the wall almost two seconds ahead of Japan's Kosuke Hagino, who finished second, to win his fourth gold medal at these Games.
Lochte, who holds the world record in the event, faded during the final leg to place fifth.
Phelps finished in 1 minute, 54.66 seconds to win the event at his fourth consecutive Olympics.
He now owns 26 Olympic medals, 22 of them gold, and plans to retire after the Games.
