China's Liu wins women's 200m butterfly gold in world record time

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Liu Zige won the women's 200m butterfly gold medal in a world record time at the Beijing Olympics here on Thursday.

It is the host nation's first swimming gold at the games.

Liu touched in 2:04.18, eclipsing the previous world mark of 2:05.40 set by Australian Jessicah Schipper in 2006.

Fellow Chinese Jiao Liuyang took silver in 2:04.72 and Australia's Jessicah Schipper grabbed the bronze in 2:06.26.

Liu Zige (R) of China celebrates with teammate Jiao Liuyang during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in with new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige (L) of China receives congratulations from Jessicah Schipper of Australia during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds.

Liu Zige of China reacts during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Liu Zige of China competes during the final of women's 200m butterfly at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Liu Zige won the gold medal in a new world record with 2 minutes 04.18 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)

Phelps: 200m Butterfly win for tenth Olympic gold

Michael Phelps swims during the final. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- "Baltimore Bullet" Michael Phelps hit his target in the Men's 200m Butterfly for his fourth gold at the Water Cube and tenth Olympic gold overall on Wednesday morning -- and did it with a new world record time of 1:52.03.

After qualifying fastest for the final in an Olympic Record time of 1:53.70. Phelps, the defending Olympic champion and world record holder, was never headed. While the margin was a little closer than predicted, Phelps was never seriously challenged in winning the gold medal.

Phelps took the race out fast and hard as he is accustomed to and the pace immediately hurt his rivals. Phelps' first split at 100m was 25.36. At the last turn Phelps was under world record pace with a split at the 150m of 1:22.75.

Lazslo Cseh of Hungary had another great swim in European Record time to finish with the silver medal in 1:52.70. Cseh is having a great Games and swimming very consistently and looks to be a great challenger for Phelps in the years to come.

Matsuda Takeshi of Japan, after being the second fastest qualifier for the final, finished with the bronze medal and an Asian Record in a time of 1:52.97.

Phelps did not have much time to take the win in as he was due out again on Wednesday morning in the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay.

Michael Phelps swims during the final. (Photo credit: Chen Kai/Xinhua)

Michael Phelps reacts after his win. (Photo credit: Xinhua)