Michael Phelps gained more reaffirmation that his comeback is going in the right direction on Saturday.
Michael Phelps scores first win over Ryan Lochte in comeback
Olympictalk.nbcsports.com reported that Phelps won his second event in as many days at the Bulldog Grand Slam in Athens, Ga.
The 22-time Olympic medalist captured the 100-meter backstroke, defeating rival Ryan Lochte by finishing in a time of 53.88 seconds, which helped him achieve another goal.
"I just wanted to break 54, to be honest," said Phelps, according to usnews.com. "My best time is 53.01 from 2007 and it's something I haven't swam that that many times. I wanted to take it out a little faster and be as close to an even split as I could, but towards the end it hurt a lot. To be 53.88 now, I'm very pleased."
Michael Phelps comeback saves Ryan Lochte's career
Lochte, whom NBC reported had more experience in the backstroke than Phelps, finished in a time of 54.4 seconds as he continues his comeback from a torn ACL.
SwimVortex.com reported that Phelps' time ranks as the 14th fastest time in the world this season and the third fastest time in the U.S.
Phelps defeated Lochte on Friday in the 100-meter butterfly on Friday, breaking the 52-second mark with a 51.67-second time.
The two are expected to go head-to-head one more time on Sunday when they are scheduled to compete in the 100 freestyle.
The event on the University of Georgia campus gives some of the nation's best swimmers one more tuneup before next month's national championships in Irvine, Calif., NBC reported. The results from nationals and the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia later in August will determine the U.S. team for 2015.
Phelps' goal is to compete in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics
"Anytime I have a chance to get into the water and race after taking two years off is a good thing," Phelps said, according to . "It's all about getting in rhythm and racing - that's what I've always enjoyed about the sport. And having another race under my belt is nice."
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