Michael Phelps' days as the top swimmer in the world may be numbered, and fellow American Ryan Lochte looks to be the strongest candidate to replace him.
Lochte defeated Phelps in the 200-meter freestyle at Tuesday's world championships in Shanghai, China, clocking a time of 1 minute, 44.44 seconds to edge Phelps by .35 seconds (1:44.79).
It was Lochte's third win over Phelps in the past two years. He also placed first in both the 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter individual medley at last year's U.S. Championships.
German Paul Biedermann, who upset Phelps to win gold in the event at the last world championships, placed third on Tuesday with a time of 1 minute, 44.88 seconds.
