Phelps leads US gold rush

MICHAEL PHELPS led an American gold rush at the World Swimming Championships with victory in the men’s 200 metres freestyle.

Phelps collected his second title of the championships with a thrilling win in the four-lap race while Aaron Peirsol and Kate Ziegler also struck gold for the United States.

Peirsol was untroubled in retaining his 100m backstroke crown while Ziegler slashed more than 10 seconds off her personal best to win the women’s 1500m freestyle, the longest event on the programme.