LONDON -- American Ryan Lochte had practically owned the podium when it came to the 200-meter backstroke.
Until Thursday.
Another American ended up supplanting Lochte atop the podium at the London Olympics. Tyler Clary of Riverside put on a strong surge to win gold at the Aquatics Center, winning in 1 minute, 53.41 seconds.
Even more surprising was that Lochte, the defending Olympic champion and reigning world champion, slipped to third in 1:53.94. Second was Japan's Ryosuke Irie (1:53.78)
Clary seemed stunned.
"That's not how I planned on the race playing out at all, but I stuck to my game plan and it worked out for me this time," Clary told BBC television.
"I don't really know what to say right now. You always think about having a result like that. The first time it happens, it's incredible. You can wake me up now."
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