Michael Phelps sets 200m butterfly record

COLUMBIA, Mo., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- American swimmer Michael Phelps broke his own 200-meter butterfly world record Saturday night at the Missouri Grand Prix in Columbia, Mo.

Phelps posted a time of 1:53.71 -- improving on his record time of 1:53.80, set Aug. 17, 2006, at the Pan Pacific Championships.

Saturday night's performance was the fifth time Phelps set a 200-meter world record in the butterfly.

Phelps -- who won eight medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens -- is scheduled to swim the 200-meter butterfly in March at the World Championships in Melbourne.

"I hope to go faster in a month from now, but I still have a few events I need to get ready for here," Phelps said. "I'm pleased with the way it went right now, and I'm confident."