Germany's Paul Biedermann has pulled off a second sensational coup at the world swimming championships. This time he overpowered swimming great Michael Phelps to win the 200 metres freestyle final in record time. He had already taken gold from the twice champion when he broke Ian Thorpe's world record to triumph in the 400 on Sunday.

Phelps got off to a good start, but the German overtook him on the 50 meter mark.

At the 150 meters split, Biedermann managed a comfortable advantage over Phelps.

In the last 50 meters, Phelps pulled out all the stops to catch Bierdermann, but the German's lead was too big. He would win the race after clocking a hallowed record time of one minute 42 seconds. Phelps had to settle for silver with a time of 1 minute 43.22, in what was the first major defeat for the American in four years.

In other results, Japan's Junya Koga grabbed gold in the men's 100 metres backstroke final. He beat the championship record he set in the semi-finals to win in a time of 52.26 seconds.