Michael Phelps swam the second fastest 200 meters backstroke of all time at the US national championships in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.

　　Phelps, 18, who holds world records in the 200 meters butterfly and the 200 and 400 meters individual medley, clocked one minute 55.30 seconds, 0.15 off the mark established by Aaron Peirsol two years ago at this meeting. Phelps also won the 100 meters freestyle. Turning in seventh place at 50 meters, he came storming back to overtake the field and touch in 49.05 second, more than half a second in front of South Africa's Ryk Neethling.