ANN ARBOR, Michigan: China's Wu Peng won the 200m butterfly at the Michigan Grand Prix Saturday as Olympic star Michael Phelps faded to fourth in one of his signature events.
Wu won in 1:56.62, likely securing his spot on China's team for the swimming World Championships in Shanghai later this year.
Phelps, the world record-holder, was unable to rally in the final 50 meters and had a rare off-podium finish.
Poland's Marcin Cieslak was second in 1:57.13, Tyler Clary third in 1:57.56 and Phelps fourth in 1:57.79.
The 14-time Olympic gold medallist had acknowledged last year that lax training had led to a sub-par season. With the World Championships looming and next year's London Olympics on the horizon, Phelps said he still had work to do.
Wu, swimming head-to-head against Phelps for the first time, was delighted with the victory.
Phelps added the backstroke title to the 200m free and 100m fly titles he won on Friday.
He won all five of his events at the Indianapolis Grand Prix last month, but said he would have to push himself more.
Brazilian sprint star Cesar Cielo won the men's 50m free in 22.08sec. He led a Brazilian sweep ahead of Bruno Fratus and Nicholas Santos.
Oussama Mellouli, the Olympic 1,500m freestyle gold medallist, won the 200m breaststroke in 2:15.36, and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Coughlin won the women's 100m backstroke in 1:00.04.
Wu won in 1:56.62, likely securing his spot on China's team for the swimming World Championships in Shanghai later this year.
Phelps, the world record-holder, was unable to rally in the final 50 meters and had a rare off-podium finish.
Poland's Marcin Cieslak was second in 1:57.13, Tyler Clary third in 1:57.56 and Phelps fourth in 1:57.79.
The 14-time Olympic gold medallist had acknowledged last year that lax training had led to a sub-par season. With the World Championships looming and next year's London Olympics on the horizon, Phelps said he still had work to do.
Wu, swimming head-to-head against Phelps for the first time, was delighted with the victory.
Phelps added the backstroke title to the 200m free and 100m fly titles he won on Friday.
He won all five of his events at the Indianapolis Grand Prix last month, but said he would have to push himself more.
Brazilian sprint star Cesar Cielo won the men's 50m free in 22.08sec. He led a Brazilian sweep ahead of Bruno Fratus and Nicholas Santos.
Oussama Mellouli, the Olympic 1,500m freestyle gold medallist, won the 200m breaststroke in 2:15.36, and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Coughlin won the women's 100m backstroke in 1:00.04.
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