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Michael Phelps Swims Back-To-Back World Best Times At 2015 Phillips 66 National Championships

By Jean Mendoza
Published on: 21:54 PST, Aug 8, 2015

Michael Phelps was the star at the Phillips 66 National Championships held in San Antonio. The 18-time gold medal winner is performing exceptionally well in the water considering that he was banned at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, after being arrested for a DUI.

The National Championships in San Antonio is one of the biggest events he will be competing in ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

According to Bleacher Report, Phelps blew away the competition in the men’s 200-meter butterfly event, finishing with a time of one minute and 52.94 seconds. Having the best time in the competition alone is impressive, but Michael Phelps did not just do that. He also beat everyone’s time (for 2015).

Phelps’ trainer, Bob Bowman, was asked about how he thinks Russian competitors reacted upon seeing Michael Phelps’ winning time.

“I don’t know the Russian term, but probably, ‘holy s**t.’ I think there will be some surprise. I think some people will be very, very surprised.”

And if you thought that Michael Phelps’ performance in the competition stops there, think again. A day later, Phelps again beat the 2015 record in the 100-meter butterfly event with a time of 50.45 seconds, BBC News reports.

ESPN reports that the 100-meter butterfly record was Michael Phelps’ response to Chad le Clos’ taunting.

Chad is the reigning Olympic champion in the 200-meter dash, and after being asked about Phelps’ 200-meter butterfly record-breaking performance, Chad responded by saying, “I just did a time that he hasn’t done in four years, so he can keep quiet now.”

Phelps decided that it’s better for his swimming to do the talking.

“There’s a lot of things I could say, but I won’t. I will let what I do in the pool do my talking. Just keep saying what you’re saying. I encourage it. Just don’t think you’re going to get a reaction out of me.”

Chad le Clos and Michael Phelps are thousands of miles apart, as le Clos is currently in Kazan, Russia, for the championships, but the rivalry is just as alive. The two will be seeing each other in the Rio Olympics in 2016.

It seems that staying away from alcohol has done Michael Phelps some good. According to an Inquisitr report, Phelps has vowed to stay away from alcohol until after the Rio Olympics – if he ever goes back to drinking again. More on that story here.

[Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]

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