(Newser)
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Michael Phelps demolished both the 100-meter butterfly world record and any lingering concerns about his fitness at the US Nationals yesterday, USA Today reports. Phelps—who returned to training less than five months ago—finished in 50.22 seconds, breaking the 50.40 record set by fellow American Ian Crocker in 2005.
"It was big. it was something I really, really wanted," Phelps said after the victory. "He just smashed me in the 100 at the '05 Worlds. I remember saying then, 'I never want to get beaten that bad again.' That was a wake up call for me." The 100-meter butterfly was the only event of the eight Phelps won at the Beijing Olympics in which he failed to set a world record.
