Chase Kalisz driven to gold by Phelps, Lochte legacy

Chase Kalisz says the pressure to continue the legacy of American greats Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte pushed him to gold in the 200m individual medley at the world championships on Thursday

Kalisz celebrates after winning men's 200m medley. Pic/AFP

Budapest: Chase Kalisz says the pressure to continue the legacy of American greats Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte pushed him to gold in the 200m individual medley at the world championships on Thursday.

Kalisz touched the wall at one minute, 55.56 seconds, with Japan’s Kosuke Hagino taking silver at 0.45sec and China’s Wang Shun earning bronze at 0.72.

Having won 400m IM silver at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2013 world championships in Barcelona, Kalisz finally has his hands on gold over the shorter distance.

Kalisz, 23, is following in the footsteps of Phelps, who won the 200m IM gold medal at four straight Olympic games from 2004 until 2016, and Lochte, who won four consecutive world titles in the event from 2009 until 2015.

“Those two are the best in our sport, they will never be replaced and it means a lot to continue the IM tradition -- they were my idols,” he said. “I grew up wanting to swim just like them.” he added.

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