Michael Phelps qualified in the 100 meter freestyle event at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships at the Gold Coast Aquatic Center in Southport Friday morning.

Appearing for the very first time in international competition since his retirement after the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps clocked in an impressive 48.45 seconds to qualify on Friday evening's finals in Australia.

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The 18-times Olympic Gold medalist Phelps' time was third best behind fellow American and Olympic champion Nathan Adrian (48.05) and current world champion Australian James Magnussen (48.25) whom he out-touched in the other qualifying race.

"I'm very happy, the first 50 felt real good," Phelps said.

The 29-year-old Phelps rarely compete in the 100 meter freestyle even in the Olympics but after the first finish place his heat ahead of Joao De Lucca (49.02) of Brazil, the American felt satisfied.

"I knew I had to win that heat if I wanted to have a chance to swim in the final tonight," Phelps added.

Although Phelps is not expected to win behind Adrian who won the same event against him during the nationals and Magnussen who recently won the event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the performance alone is sparking up signs of a comeback in the Olympics scene at Rio in 2016.

"I am excited to get that out of the way and hopefully race faster," Phelps told reporters.

Phelps' solid performance did not worry Magnussen who beat fellow compatriot Cameron McEvoy in Glasgow and is fourth in the time trials behind Phelps at 48.49.

"I'm happy to race anybody on my day, so I look forward to the challenge," Mangussen said.

Magnussen also added that in order to win, one would have to clock in a 47 to grab the Pan Pacific Gold medal for a few will definitely have times in the 48s.

Tagsmichael phelps, Nathan Adrian, James Magnussen, swimming