London, Aug 1 (IANS): South African Chad le Cos won the gold medal for men's 200-meter butterfly at the Olympics Tuesday, but defending champion American Michael Phelps still made it into the record books.

The South African's triumph means Phelps missed out on the chance to become the first male swimmer to win the same event in three separate Olympics, Xinhua reported.

But Phelps still made it into the Olympic record books as he claimed the 18th medal of his career at the Aquatic centre Tuesday night.

That draws him level with Russian gymnast Larisa Latymina, who won 18 medals, with the last being won in 1964.

Le Clos touched home a fraction ahead of Phelps in the final moment, when it looked as if the American was about to claim his 15th gold medal.

Phelps appeared to miss his finish and Le Clos got the vital touch with his fingertips, even though he had seemed destined to finish second.

With other races still ahead of him, Phelps looks certain to add another medal to his tally before the end of these Games and will retire as the greatest Olympian ever, but the golory of gold went to Le Clos.