Shanghai: Michael Phelps shook off a rusty 150 metres to storm home in the final lap and qualify for the men's 200 metres butterfly semi-finals at the world swimming championships on Tuesday.
The Olympic champion, who is also in the final of the 200 freestyle later on Tuesday, clocked one minute, 56.77 seconds to finish first in his heat and 11th overall.
The 26-year-old is swimming four individual events in Shanghai, the 100 and 200 butterfly, 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley and three relays as he prepares for next year's London Olympics.
Phelps lead off the US 4x100 freestyle relay on Sunday, but they heavily fancied team were usurped by a young Australian quartet and France.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, July 26, 2011, 10:05