Ryan Lochte locked up two more gold medals at the swimming world championships yesterday, raising his victory total to four with at least one more event to go.

The American led from start to finish in the 200-metre backstroke, then rallied the US past France in the anchor leg to win the 4x200 freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps led off the relay, leaving the US third behind Paul Biedermann of Germany and Yannick Agnel of France.

Peter Vanderkaay then put the Americans in front at the halfway mark, but France led at 600 metres before Lochte passed Fabien Gilot with only one lap to go.

Earlier in the meet, Lochte won the 200 free and 200 individual medley — relegating Phelps to silver twice. He also set a world record in the 200 IM — the only world mark in swimming since high-tech bodysuits were banned 19 months ago.

“I have a lot of confidence, especially what happened with last year,” said Lochte, who won six golds to Phelps’ five at the Pan Pacific Championships in 2010. “I’m just taking each swim meet at a time, each race at a time, and each year at a time.”

Lochte has five medals in all, having also got a bronze in the 4x100 free relay on the opening night of what has turned out to be a stellar competition for the American. He’ll also be favoured in the 400 IM and could swim the medley relay on the final night of competition tomorrow.

Phelps, who swam the leadoff in the relay, has two golds, two silvers and one bronze.

Meanwhile, American Rebecca Soni won the 200 breaststroke to add to her 100 title from Tuesday. Soni was being tapped for a world record in the 200 breast but struggled in the second half of the race, touching in 2:21.47 to hold off a late comeback from Yuliya Efimova of Russia. Efimova took silver in 2:22.22 and Martha McCabe of Canada grabbed bronze in 2:24.81.

Also, Jeanette Ottesen and Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus finished in a dead heat for gold in the women’s 100 freestyle, both clocking 53.45 seconds. Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands touched third in 53.66 and Francesca Halsall of Britain and Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands tied for fourth in 53.72.

It was the second time in these championships that there was a dead heat for gold, after Camille Lacourt and Jeremy Stravius of France shared the top spot on the podium in the men’s 100 backstroke on Tuesday.

World record holder Britta Steffen dropped out after finishing 16th in morning heats on Thursday. The German swept both the 50 and 100 free at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the last worlds in Rome two years ago.

Daniel Gyurta of Hungary overtook Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima of Japan on the final lap to defend his title in the men’s 200 breaststroke.

Gyurta clocked 2:08.41, while Kitajima, who was on a world-record pace with 50 meters to go, took the silver in 2:08.63. Christian vom Lehn of Germany earned the bronze in 2:09.06.

Greece beat China 9-8 to win the gold medal in women’s water polo.

The host country pulled to within one goal with 90 seconds left yesterday, and controlled play for much of the final minute before losing the ball in front of the Greek goal, allowing the winners to play out the final 15 seconds.

Earlier, Olga Belyaeva scored three goals as Russia beat Italy 8-7 to take the bronze.

Australia beat the two-time defending champion United States 10-5 for fifth place and the Netherlands defeated Canada 8-7 to take seventh place in the 16-team competition.

Serbia play Italy in the men’s gold medal match today, and Hungary take on Croatia for bronze.