AUSTIN, January 15, 2012 (AFP) – Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 16 medals, cruised to his second win in as many days by capturing the 400-meter individual medley Saturday at the Austin Grand Prix.
The 14-time Olympic champion won the medley with a time of 4 minutes 16.95 seconds, finishing more than four seconds ahead of runner-up Conor Dwyer, who touched the wall in 4:21.16. Canada’s Andrew Ford was third in 4:21.99.
“I am really, really pleased,” Phelps said.
Phelps seized the lead in the opening 50 metres then held on for the victory against the eight-man field. The American won the 100m butterfly in Friday’s opening day of the three-day meet, the second of seven events in the USA Grand Prix Series.
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Phelps, who won eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, is using the Grand Prix to get ready for the London Olympics, which begin in just over six months.
Phelps says he gets motivated when people say he can’t repeat his past successes.
“I try not to listen to whatever anyone says,” Phelps said. “There is always something to fire me up. I welcome all the comments. Bring them on. It will help me swim faster in the future.”
Phelps will compete in the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke and 200 medley on Sunday.
On the women’s side, American teen Missy Franklin captured the 200m backstroke with a time of 2:08.18.
Franklin, 16, also led the 200 freestyle for three laps before losing steam and finishing second to compatriot Allison Schmitt, who touched the wall in 1:55.83. Franklin finished in 1:57.86.
Franklin was the fastest in the world in the 200 back last year.
American Katie Hoff won the women’s 400m IM in a close race over Camile Adams.
