Murphy wins gold in 200-meter backstroke

Jax native is 5th American to sweep backstroke events at same Olympic games

RIO DE JANEIRO – Jacksonville native Ryan Murphy brought home another medal for Team USA on Thursday night when he won gold in the final of the men's 200-meter backstroke with a time of 1:53.62 in Rio. 

Murphy, 21, set an Olympic record with a time of 51.97 in winning the 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

The Bolles graduate is the fifth American to sweep backstroke events at the same Olympic games.

One Monday night, Murphy won gold in the 100 meter backstroke. He set a new Olympic record with a time of 51.97. 

Murphy will also be part of the U.S. team defending its 2012 Olympic gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay.