BEIJING — Michael Phelps has qualified sixth-fastest in the 200-meter individual medley at the Beijing Olympics.

The American ended a golden day at the pool by winning his preliminary heat in 1 minute, 58.65 seconds Wednesday night, good enough to move on to the semifinals.

Phelps' teammate Ryan Lochte led all qualifiers in 1:58.15. Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, already a two-time silver medalist behind Phelps in the 400 IM and 200 butterfly, was third in 1:58.79.