The British claimed silver in 7:03.13, while Japan took the bronze in 7:03.50.
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However, we have a feeling this medal might mean the most to the 31-year-old as the Olympian slayed the relay in front of his infant son, Boomer. Aww!
But the night belonged to the Americans and Phelps, who after four days of competition in Rio has won three gold medals at his fifth Olympic Games.
Phelps, putting the finishing touch to an easy win in the 4x200m free, cruising home nearly two and a half seconds ahead of Britain’s James Guy in the swimming equivalent of baseball’s home-run trot around the bases.
He’s 13th on the gold medals list for the past four Olympics. He could join the 800-meter freestyle relay squad, which may include Conor Dwyer and Ryan Lochte.
In the women’s 200m freestyle, Australia’s Emma McKeon and Bronte Barratt had it all in front of them trying to stop USA champion Katie Ledecky and Sweden’s 100m butterfly gold medalist Sarah Sjöström.
The rivals will face each other in the finals for the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday.
Phelps touched the wall in 1:53.36 seconds, slower than his 2012 silver medal performance, with Sakai finishing in 1:53.40.
Once again, the gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly belongs to Phelps. Sjostrom went a time of 1:54.08, and Australia’s Emma McKeon swam in 1:54.92 for bronze.
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In the women’s 200 individual medley final Canada’s Sydney Pickrem finished sixth.
