Phelps took gold in the 200 meter free style in a world record time of one minute 42.96 seconds. South Korea's Park Tae-hwan took the silver and American Peter Vanderkaay claimed the bronze. The 23-year-old Phelps now joins an elite fraternity that includes Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz, all with nine gold medals.
Later, Phelps' compatriot Natalie Coughlin captured the gold in the 100 meter backstroke with a time of 58.96 seconds. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe, who set the world record in her semifinal heat, took the silver. American Margaret Hoelzer finished with the bronze.
