The best come-from-behind win in the pool at the Rio Olympics happened with the first medal event on Friday night.

American Maya DiRado pulled off an absolute stunner in the 200-meter backstroke by churning her way to a gold medal and defeating a legend -- Hungary's Katinka Hosszu, who won three golds earlier this week -- en route to an Olympic-record swim of 2:05.99. Hosszu touched in 2:06.05, while bronze went to Canada's Hilary Caldwell (2:07.54).

Yes, just 0.06 was the difference to stepping on the top of the podium. The 200 backstroke was considered DiRado's weakest discipline. So much for that.

For Hosszu, nicknamed "The Iron Lady," her loss is so surprising in part because of how great she is in the backstroke, but also because her lead was consistent through the first three legs. She had a 0.32 lead on the field after 50 meters, then got it to .57 at the halfway point, and was still. 0.48 ahead of DiRado on the final turn.

dirado.jpg
Maya DiRado stunningly wins gold in the 200-meter backstroke USATSI

The finish was furious and surprising for DiRado, who of course was pushing somewhat blindly, as the backstroke doesn't allow great scope for deciphering where your opponents are.

"I could tell I was in the race at the end," Dirado said on NBC after taking gold. "I was just trying so hard to get my tempo over and hit the wall. I can't believe that just happened!"

The ultimate reason DiRado got the gold was because her final stroke was strong and a perfect push into the wall. Hosszu went half-stroke and leaned it at the end. DiRado had the momentum and won out. Though Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel have been the headliners in the pool in Rio, DiRado has had an incredible trip. Friday night's finish gave her her fourth medal. She won another gold earlier in the week in the 4x200-meter relay, plus a silver in the 4x100 relay and a bronze in the 100-meter backstroke.

She had this great encounter (what a picture) with Michael Phelps afterward.

"I wanted to medal in all three of my events, and then I got put on a relay and we got gold, and then I just won an event, and I don't even know what to say," DiRado said. "My team believed in me so much. I knew when I left for that last race they all thought I could do it and it was just a matter of convincing myself. And I did."

What's DiRado to do next?

She's gonna retire now.

What a way to go out. The last race of her career winds up being the most dramatic -- and rewarding.