Rio 2016: Michael Phelps wins 22nd gold medal in 200m individual medley

The 31-year-old American plans to retire after the Rio Olympics

Phelps poses with his 22nd Olympic gold medal (Getty)

Michael Phelps won a 22nd Olympic gold and 26th medal in all with victory in the 200 metres individual medley on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old American, who plans to retire after the Rio Olympics, broke a 2,168-year-old record for the most all-time individual Olympic titles with the victory.

The previous record was held by Leonidas of Rhoses, who is believed to have won more Olympic titles at the ancient games than anyone else.

It was Phelps' fourth successive win in the 200 metres individual medley, and his 13th individual gold medal with one more possible - in Friday's 100m butterfly.

Phelps said: "I've been able to do everything I ever wanted. It all started just as a kid who wasn't afraid.

"Things started hitting me this morning. I was like, 'Wow, I only have to put on a racing suit two more times after tonight' and, 'I only have to warm down one more time after tonight'.

"Those little tiny things I've been saying to Bob (Bowman, his coach) every day.

"Today I was like, 'Tonight's my last 200 ever' - that's a very exciting one.

"The biggest thing for me through the meet so far is I've been able to finish how I wanted to.

"I've been able to come back and accomplish things I've dreamt of.

"To be able to come back and win my fourth 200 IM in a row, I don't even know how to put that into words.

"This has been a very, very special week so far, for me, closing out my career."

It was the youthful pleasure of swimming which has spurred Phelps on since his comeback after 18 months in retirement post-London 2012. But he is feeling his 31 years now.

"I'm enjoying the sport like I did when I was 18," he said.

"My body definitely doesn't feel like an 18-year-old.

"Getting out of the pool may take a little bit more energy, it might be a bit harder, but it's just as sweet standing on top of the podium listening to your national anthem play.

"Hopefully I have the chance to do it again. That's something when I do retire I will miss.

"Whenever I hear the national anthem there are so many memories always going through my head and pretty much every time I hear it I'm in tears. I tried to hold it back today. It didn't work."

Phelps cried and puffed out his cheeks while the anthem played after his 200m individual medley victory, extending a winning streak which began in Athens 12 years ago.

He won gold in one minute 54.66 seconds to take his second individual title and fourth gold of the 2016 Games.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan, the 400m individual medley champion, was second in 1min 56.61secs and Wang Shun of China third in 1:57.05.

Phelps and Lochte competing in the men's 200m individual relay (Getty)

Ryan Lochte, Phelps' team-mate, could only finish fifth in 1:57.47, while Britain's Dan Wallace was eighth in 1:58.54.

Phelps was just 0.43 behind the Olympic record he set en route to gold in Beijing eight years ago. Lochte holds the world record, which Phelps finished 0.66 behind.

"I don't know if I'm in better shape than I was in 2008. That hurt a lot," Phelps said.

Lochte's Games - and perhaps his career - have finished, but Phelps has two more events, the last of which is the 4x100m medley relay.

Following the medal presentation, he briefly posed for photos before ducking out from the lap of honour to get ready for the 100m butterfly semi-final, from which he qualified in fifth place.

Phelps won the 100m butterfly title at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games and will go for a fourth straight win in Friday's final.

Joseph Schooling of Singapore was the fastest qualifier in 50.83.

For Phelps, it was all about finishing in the top eight, to advance to the final.

"I was joking with Ryan and I was like, 'Man, how did we do all those events in 2008?'," said Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

"Without a 400 IM and 200 free, and my body is in pain. My legs are hurting. I'm tired.

"It's been a hell of a career."