UPDATE 1-Olympics-Swimming-American Lochte wins 200 backstroke

By Simon Evans

BEIJING, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Ryan Lochte of the United States won the gold medal in the men's 200 metres backstroke on Friday with a new world record time of one minute, 53.94.

Compatriot Aaron Peirsol, the 2004 Olympic champion and triple gold medallist took silver with 1:54.33 and Russian Arkady Vyatchanin claimed bronze with 1:54.93.

Lochte shaved 0.38 off the previous world record of 1:54.32 which he had held jointly with Peirsol.

Vyatchanin set the pace and went into the 150 metre turn in the lead but Lochte had some fuel left in the tank to overtake him and claim his first individual gold. He was also a member of the successful 4x200 freestyle relay team.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)