Ledecky hits new heights, Singapore's Schooling makes history

Katie Ledecky was victorious in the 800 metre freestyle by an almost preposterous margin, the 19-year-old lowering her own world record to eight minutes, 4.79 seconds as she claimed her fourth gold of the Games.

Katie Ledecky with her fourth gold medal at Rio 2016.

The phenomenal Katie Ledecky saved her best for last, while Michael Phelps tasted a final defeat for the first time at Rio 2016 on the penultimate day of swimming action.

Ledecky was victorious in the 800 metre freestyle by an almost preposterous margin, the 19-year-old lowering her own world record to eight minutes, 4.79 seconds as she claimed her fourth gold of the Games. Nearest challenger Jazz Carlin (Great Britain) was more than 11 seconds back in claiming silver, with Boglarka Kapas of Hungary taking bronze.

Phelps had to settle for a dramatic three-way tie for second in the men's 100m butterfly final, an event the 22-time gold medallist won at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games. Joseph Schooling stormed clear of the field to triumph in 50.39 seconds and earn Singapore's first Olympic gold, with Phelps, Chad Le Clos and Laszlo Cseh all three-quarters of a second back.

Friday's two other finals were won by Americans. Maya Dirado pipped Katinka Hosszu by six hundredths of a second in the women's 200m backstroke final, denying the Hungarian her fourth gold.

Anthony Ervin, meanwhile, triumphed in the men's 50m freestyle at the age of 35, some 16 years on from winning the same event at the Sydney Olympics.