Rio Olympics 2016: Michael Phelps beats Ryan Lochte in 200m medley semi-final as he prepares for shot at gold number 22

MICHAEL PHELPS will go for gold No 22 in 200m individual medley after beating old rival Ryan Lochte in his semi-final.

And Team GB’s Dan Wallace, already a silver medallist in the 4x200m freestyle relay behind the great man and America, will once more share the pool with Phelps after qualifying fifth fastest.

Phelps recorded the second fastest time in world this year to move a step closer to extending his extraordinary record as the most successful Olympian of all time.

Wallace finished fourth in Phelps’ heat, also behind the USA’s Lochte and Brazil’s Thiago Pereira.

Fellow Brit Ieuan Lloyd failed to qualify.

Wallace said: “The heats were just about making the semi-finals but after the relay performances and the emotional high of that, it was always going to be hard to post a fast time.

“I knew that if I got the job done in the heats, I’d be able to come in and really step up. I’m over the moon with that swim.

“My freestyle has been feeling good for longer than my medley this summer so to go that close to my best in the semi-final and to make the final is really promising.

“I don’t want to be remembered as someone who had a not great trials, went to the Olympics and didn’t do anything special.