Michael Phelps Wows Crowd with Fastest Time Since 2009

Michael Phelps made a splash at the U.S. National Championships this weekend in Texas, clocking his best time in the men’s 200-meter butterfly since 2009.

His 1 minute, 52.94-second performance Friday night wowed the crowd in San Antonio and earned him his ninth national title for the event, according to USA Swimming.

Phelps set the world record for the men‘s 200-meter fly in 2009 with a 1 minute, 51.51-second performance at the world championships in Rome, the Associated Press reported.

With his time Friday evening, he would have won the 2012 Olympic gold by .02 second, NBC reported.

“...anything is possible,” Phelps said, addressing reporters after his swim Friday. “I can do whatever I put my mind to, and this next year is gonna be pretty damn fun.”

Phelps, who grew up in Rodgers Forge, is making a comeback after a six-month suspension by USA Swimming for drunk driving. He racked up his second DUI in a decade after driving erratically near Baltimore’s Fort McHenry Tunnel last September on his way home the Horseshoe Casino.

“I went through a lot,” Phelps said in a press conference Friday. “...it’s a good feeling to be back.”

See Also:

• Phelps Confirms Plan to Swim in 2016 Olympics
• Michael Phelps Engaged to California Beauty Queen
• More Details Surface about Phelps DUI
• Phelps Launches Swim Line, Announces Return to Competition