Phelps sets third world record in as many days

MELBOURNE, Mar 29 (Reuters) Michael Phelps broke his third world record in as many days to collect his fourth gold medal at the world swimming championships today.

The American won the 200 metres individual medley final in a time of one minute 54.98 seconds to slash 0.86 off the previous record of 1:55.84 which he set at lasy year's Pan Pacific championships in Victoria, Canada.

His American team mate Ryan Lochte finished second in 1:56.19 after pushing Phelps most of the way and Hungary's Laszlo Cseh was third in 1:56.92.

Phelps, 21, is chasing an unprecedented eight world titles in Melbourne's Susie O'Neill pool and has won his first four events.

He collected his first gold medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay on Sunday, broke Ian Thorpe's 200 freestyle world record on Tuesday and his own 200 butterfly world record on Wednesday.

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