• Phelps reflects on ‘mind-blowing’ personal tally of 21 career golds • Now ranks above Argentina, Jamaica and Portugal in gold rankings

Michael Phelps has reflected on his “mind-blowing” personal medal tally after his total of 21 career golds ranked him above countries including Argentina, Jamaica and Portugal in the all-time gold medal table.

His 20th gold, and 12th individual title, came in his signature event, the 200m butterfly, before he anchored the United States to gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps on another golden hour: 'There wasn't a shot in hell I was losing' Read more

It means that, if Phelps were a country, he would rank 39th equal with Ethiopia in the all-time Olympic gold medal table. He now stands just two golds short of host Brazil’s all-time tally – and is targeting more this summer.

Phelps, who has 25 medals in all, said after his latest win: “That’s a lot of medals, it’s just insane. It’s mind-blowing. I wanted that one back. I came into the pool tonight with a mission and the mission was accomplished. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week and I’m not even halfway done yet.”

He has three more opportunities and a possible seven races in Rio, his final Olympics, in the 100m butterfly, 4x100m medley relay and 200m individual medley.

His current 2016 Games tally of two golds now ranks him above countries including Brazil, Britain, Greece and Germany so far this summer. And without his victories, the US would be behind China’s tally of eight golds at the top of the table.

The “mission” was a cathartic victory in the event in which he made his name, finishing fifth in the Sydney Olympics 16 years ago, aged 15. The South African Chad le Clos had shocked Phelps, the 2004 and 2008 Olympic champion, by winning gold ahead of his idol at the London 2012 Games. Phelps retired after those Games, as planned, but he returned 18 months later with unfinished business.

“I told Bob [Bowman, his coach] when I came back how bad I wanted that 200m fly,” added Phelps.

“That being my very first Olympic event, to be able to win it in my fifth Olympics is pretty special. It was really just going through the last 16 years. That event was my bread and butter. That was the last time I’ll ever swim it.

“Having that come to an end is weird, it’s crazy to think about. What happened four years ago is still with me. It was a frustrating race for me. There wasn’t a shot in hell I was losing that tonight.”