Melbourne, Australia (AHN) - Michael Phelps continued his dominance at the FINA world swimming championships Thursday, capturing the 200-meter individual medley in 1 minute, 54.98 seconds for a new world record.

"I went out there and went after it," Phelps told AP, who broke his old mark of 1:55.84. "Why stop something that works?"

Phelps, who led all four strokes in the individual medley at record pace, became the first to win three world titles in the 200 IM while taking home his 14th world championship medal.

Phelps also broke records in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly.

Up next for Phelps is 100 butterfly, 400 individual medley and likely a leg on the 800 free relay.

Kimberly Vandenberg of America shined in the 200 butterfly with a silver-medal time of 2:06.71. Aussie Jess Schipper struck gold in 2:06.39.

"This is the biggest competition I've ever had in my life. This moment tonight was what pushed me," Vandenberg told AP. "It makes me want to train even harder and get faster. It's so amazing swimming in Australia next to Jessicah. She really pushed me to do my best. I thank her a lot for my improvement."