BEIJING - Michael Phelps made it 6-for-6 at the Beijing Olympics, winning another gold medal Friday and closing in on Mark Spitz with another world record.

Phelps dominated right from the start of the 200-meter individual medley and won in 1 minute, 54.23 seconds. He knocked off his own mark of 1:54.80 set at last month's U.S. trials, his sixth world record of the games.

Ryan Lochte tried to pull off a daunting double, going against Phelps just 29 minutes after swimming the final of the 200 backstroke.

Lochte couldn't keep up, though he did hold on for bronze. Laszlo Cseh of Hungary picked up his third silver of the games - all of them trailing Phelps.

Phelps hung on the lane rope in a familiar pose, admiring his time while his rivals gasped for breath.

He extended his right hand to Lochte in the next lane, and the two friends shook hands and patted each other on the head.

Lochte got quite a consolation price: a world record and the first individual gold medal of his career in the backstroke.

The laid-back American edged teammate Aaron Peirsol in 1:53.94 to break the mark he shared with Peirsol.

Peirsol won the 100 back in Beijing, but failed to match his backstroke double from Athens four years ago.

He earned the silver in 1:54.33, while Arkady Vyatchanin of Russia claimed the bronze.

Phelps is just one gold away from tying Spitz's record of seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics. The 23-year-old Phelps also finished first in the semifinals of the 100 butterfly about a half-hour after his win in the 200 IM.

The record-breaker would come on Sunday's final day of swimming in the 4x100 medley relay.

The Americans will be heavily favored for gold in that one.

Rebecca Soni gave the U.S. women's swim team a much-needed boost, setting a world record in the 200 breaststroke with an upset of Australia's Leisel Jones.

Going for gold

• For Thursday's Olympic results and more, see B3.

• To follow the latest developments, use interactive features and watch video, visit auburnpub.com/olympics.