Michael Phelps breaks Leonidas of Rhodes’ 2,168-year Olympic record with 13th individual title at the Games

MICHAEL PHELPS didn't just win his 22nd Olympic gold medal last night – he also incredibly broke an Olympic record that stood for TWO THOUSAND years.

By winning the 200m metre individual medley, the swimmer won his 13th individual title at the Games, beating the record held by Leonidas of Rhodes set in the original Greek Games in 152 BC, a staggering 2,168 years ago.

Back in 152 BC, Leonidas won his last three events at the Games, in the races of around 200 and 400 metres, and in a SHIELD-CARRYING race.

Last night, the American great claimed his fourth gold in Rio, and more impressively surpassed Leonidas after storming clear in the second half of the 200m individual final.

Phelps finished almost two seconds clear of second placed Kosuke Hagino with Shun Wang in third.

His old foe Ryan Lochte finished in fifth place after a poor final leg while Britain's Dan Wallace came home in eighth.

Phelps became the third Olympian to win the same individual event at four straight Games, joining discus thrower Al Oerter and Carl Lewis in the long jump in achieving the feat