Lochte now America’s top swimmer

TOPPING PHELPS. US swimmer Ryan Lochte competes in the heats of the men's 200-meter individual medley swimming event in the FINA World Championships at the indoor stadium of the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai on July 27, 2011. AFP

SHANGHAI – New-look Ryan Lochte said cutting out junk food was key after he finally emerged from Michael Phelps’s shadow to stake a claim as America’s top swimmer.

Lochte said healthy eating and a revised training program had helped him to a series of wins over the 14-time Olympic champion, including the 200 meters world freestyle title in Shanghai.

“I’m definitely a completely different swimmer than I was in 2008,” Lochte said, referring to the Beijing Olympics when he was eclipsed by Phelps’s record-breaking eight gold medals.

“I’m a lot stronger, I’m a lot smarter just going into my races. I’ve done a lot of stuff different in my training programme. One of the biggest things was eating healthy. I thought that played a big role in tonight’s win.”

Phelps repeated his tactics from Beijing as he hit the front early in Tuesday’s race but he was shocked by a fast-closing Lochte who surged from third to first over the final 100 meters.

“Ryan has been remarkably consistent at the top level and he’s such a great racer,” said Phelps’s coach Bob Bowman.

“He knew exactly what he needed to do. When Michael went out fast, he basically went with him. That’s what he had to do. I thought he played that exceptionally well.”

Lochte beat Phelps twice at last year’s US national championships and in Texas in January, and also stole the headlines at the 2010 Pan-Pacifics.

“I’ve been getting killed,” Phelps admitted of his match-ups with Lochte.

Lochte, who is the same age as Phelps at 26, also timed quicker than his rival in Wednesday’s 200m individual medley heats.

“Michael and I have been battling head-to-head for almost eight years now,” he said. “It’s been going back and forth and it’s definitely been a good rivalry.

The colorful Californian has also swapped his trademark long hair for a new cropped look as he contemplates London 2012, where he will try to improve on his two gold medals in 2008.

“I used to have the long curls but I guess it’s a new year, new look. That’s all I can really say,” Lochte said. “I’m always digging fashion so I’ve always got to represent the diamonds. I guess that’s just part of my personality.”