Michael Phelps defeats Chad le Clos in 200m butterfly for his 20th Olympic gold medal

Michael Phelps made history after defeating rival Chad le Clos of South Africa in the men's 200m butterfly at the Rio Olympics. Phelps took home his 20th gold medal, with Japan's Masato Sakai taking silver and Hungary's Tamas Kenderesi winning the bronze.

The 31-year-old American nabbed his second gold medal of the Rio Olympics with a time of 1:53.36. The victory marks the third time Phelps has won the 200m butterfly, his signature event.

Phelps' win in the 200m butterfly come four years after Le Clos defeated him during the London Olympics. The 24-year-old South African took home gold with 1:52.96, with Phelps trailing not so far behind at 1:53.01.

Phelps went on to take silver in London. The two went on to have a war of the words during Phelps' brief stint in retirement.

The swimmer's intent to reclaim his title was obvious during the 200m butterfly semi-finals on Monday (8 August). Phelps was caught making a slightly terrifying face before the meet as Le Clos went on with some pre-race dancing. Unfortunately for Le Clos, he was surpassed by Sakai and Kenderesi in the finals and finished fourth with a time of 1:54.06.

Nineteen-year-old Kenderesi gave Phelps a run for his money during the semi-finals. Kenderesi surpassed Phelps in the last 25m of the semifinal heat to beat him by 16 hundredths of a second.

Phelps also competed for the US in the 4 x 200 freestyle relay along with Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Townley Haas. Team USA was favoured to win the relay and it did not disappoint. Phelps took home his 21st gold medal when Team USA won the 4 x 200 freestyle relay with a time of 7:00.66. The US Olympian has won 25 medals in a glittering career.

Team GB surpassed Australia, early leaders in the relay, and Japan to nab the silver with a time of 7:03.13. Japan, which held on to second place behind Team USA for most of the relay fell to third, earning the bronze medal with a time of 7:03.50.