Ryan Lochte becomes 1st man to win 200 IM four straight times

— -- KAZAN, Russia -- After a disappointing start to the world swimming championships, Ryan Lochte reminded everyone that at 31 he's still got gold in him.

The American made history Thursday, becoming the first man to win the 200-meter individual medley four consecutive times. Lochte trailed through the first three legs but came home strong on the freestyle lap and touched first in 1 minute, 55.81 seconds.

Katie Ledecky, meanwhile, anchored the United States to a 3.04-second victory in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

The Americans trailed pacesetting Sweden until Ledecky dove in. She touched in 7 minutes, 45.37 seconds Thursday for her fourth gold medal of the eight-day meet. Missy Franklin led off for the Americans, followed by Leah Smith and Katie McLaughlin. They kept within striking distance of Sweden, which was under world-record pace for much of the 16-lap race.

Italy earned silver in 7:48.41. China took bronze in 7:49.10. The Swedes faded to fourth.

In Lochte's race, Thiago Pereira of Brazil finished second in 1:56.65, and Wang Shun of China was third in 1:56.81.

He kept it low-key after hitting the wall, exchanging a hand clasp with Pereira, who was in the lane next to him. Lochte has swum just two individual events, though he could be selected for the remaining relays.

It was Lochte's 24th world championships medal -- second only to Michael Phelps' total of 33 -- and his 16th gold.

The U.S. has won the event seven consecutive times, starting with Phelps' three titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Lochte picked up the mantle with previous victories, in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

Grant Hackett of Australia won the 1,500 freestyle four times at the worlds.

Ning Zetao of China led all the way to win the 100 freestyle in a race missing two key competitors: Russia's Vladimir Morozov and defending champion James Magnussen of Australia.

Ning touched first in 47.84 seconds, following up his victory in last year's Asian Games with his first world title a year before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Cameron McEvoy of Australia finished second in 47.95.

"That's the best place I've ever got, a world silver medal," McEvoy said. "Thinking back a couple of years ago, it was out of reach for me, so to be in this position now, especially with a year to go, it's exciting."

Federico Grabich of Argentina was third in 48.12.

Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States tied for seventh with Pieter Timmers of Belgium in 48.31.

Morozov was disqualified for a false start in the semifinals, and Magnussen is home with a shoulder injury.

Natsumi Hoshi of Japan rallied on the last lap to win the women's 200 butterfly in 2:05.56.

Cammile Adams of the United States earned silver in 2:06.40. Zhang Yufei of China took bronze in 2:06.51.

American Katie McLaughlin led the first three laps but faded to sixth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.