Ryan Lochte overtook Michael Phelps on the final turn of the 200-meter freestyle to win one of the most highly-awaited races of the 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai yesterday, reminding everyone that he's a threat to replace his fellow American as the world's top swimmer.

Lochte touched in 1 minute, 44.44 seconds, with Phelps taking the silver in 1:44.79 while defending champion Paul Biedermann of Germany - who handed Phelps a stinging defeat in this event at the last worlds in Rome two years ago - settled for bronze in 1:44.88.

"I can't complain," Phelps said. I'm bummed I didn't win, but you know at the same time, with what we've done over the last six to eight months, I'm over a second faster than I was last year. ... So I'm headed in the right direction."

Lochte also beat Phelps in the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke at last year's US championships, then won six golds to Phelps' five at the Pan Pacific Championships in 2010 - prompting Phelps' coach Bob Bowman to acknowledge that Lochte was the best swimmer last year.

Phelps led at the 50 and 100 marks before Lochte, who was swimming in the next lane over, surged in front.

"I knew Michael wanted to go out just to clean water so I knew I had to be within striking distance and just work on what I'm good at - those underwaters on each turn," Lochte said. "It's a big confidence boost. Hopefully this win tonight will help me carry on through my other races this week."

After the race, Lochte hardly celebrated, then Phelps shook his hand, signaling a friendly rivalry.

"He's the only person I'll even say anything to in the ready room," Phelps said.

Park Tae-hwan of South Korea, who won the 400 free on the opening night of the eight-day meet on Sunday, was fourth.

There was another American gold in the women's 100 breaststroke at the Oriental Sports Center, with Rebecca Soni leading from start to finish in 1:05.05 to defend her title. She beat Olympic champion Leisel Jones of Australia by a massive 1.2 seconds, while Ji Liping of China took bronze in 1:06.52.

Soni had been tapped by some to break teammate Jessica Hardy's world record of 1:04.45, but Soni swam slower than the 1:04.91 she posted in the semifinals.

While a whopping 43 world records were set at the last worlds, no marks at all have been set in a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool since high-tech bodysuits were outlawed at the start of last year.

In the men's 100 backstroke, Camille Lacourt and Jeremy Stravius of France finished in a rare dead heat for gold, clocking 52.76 before celebrating together over a lane rope. The bronze went to Ryosuke Irie of Japan in 52.98.

Also, Lotte Friis of Denmark won the women's 1,500 free - a non-Olympic event - in 15:49.59, with world record holder Kate Ziegler of the US taking the silver and Li Xuanxu of China the bronze.

Defending champion Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa led the men's 50 breast semifinals. Phelps also had another swim, qualifying third behind Japan's Takeshi Matsuda and China's Chen Yin in the 200 fly semifinals.