Michael Phelps raced the first round of Heats in 4:13.33 good enough for a first place finish in his race. Swimming on the fourth lane, Phelps was matched by Yannick Lebherz of Germany on the fifth lane.
They race was neck and neck going into the last split finishing with the freestyle. Phelps matched Lebherz's intensity and finished in first place with a 4:13.33.
Because of his time, Phelps barely moved on to the Finals of the event taking place at 2:30 p.m.
Right before Phelps hitting the block, a distinct "1,2,3 Let's Go Michael" was heard in the crowd amongst the foreign cheers coming from the crowd.
Ryan Lochte finished with a 4:12.34 good for second place. First place went to South Africa's Chad le Clos who finished in 4:12:24.
Bradley Alley from Barbados finished in first place in the first Heats after posting a time of 4:21.32. In the second Heats Belgium's, Ward Bauwens came in
Kosuke Hagino of Japan finished in first place in the third Heats with a 4:10.01 for the Asian World Record.
The top 8 finishes go Kosuke Hagino, Chad le Chlos, Ryan Lochte, Thiago Pereira of Brazil, Thomas Holmes-Fraser, Luca Marin, Yuya Horihata and Michael Phelps.
