Michael Phelps breaks 100m butterfly world record

If there was ever any concern over Michael Phelps’ return to the pool, the champion swimmer put those to rest today by breaking the 100m butterfly world record with a 50.22 seconds, taking 0.18 seconds off the record set by Ian Crocker six years ago.

In the race at the American Swim Championship, Phelps led at 50 meters mark clocking 23.83, just off the world record pace, but it would appear he wasn’t yet in top gear, picking up the speed in the final 50 meters to take the record.

The new record takes Phelps’ record count to five. Along with the new record Phelps holds the world records for the 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m individual medleys, and the 200m freestyle.