Chinese swimmer breaks 50m backstroke world record

Chinese swimmer Zhao Jing is now, not only a World Cup gold medal winner but also the World Record holder in the women's 50m backstroke. Zhao broke the record in Sweden on Tuesday.

Zhao broke the record in Sweden on Tuesday.

Zhao actually set two world records during the day in the women's 50 metres backstroke. Zhao topped her morning heat by clocking 26.08 seconds, shaving 0.09 off Australian Marieke Guehrer's previous record set in Moscow four days ago. She then went on to win the final with another world record, clocking 25.82.

Meanwhile, Australian Felicity Galvez set the world record in the women's 100 metres butterfly, clocking 55.46 seconds. She beat compatriot Jessicah Schipper's mark of 55.68 set in Hobart in August.

And, American Michael Phelps finished third in the short course 100 metres medley final. Phelps ended a disappointing day by clocking 52.14 seconds, 0.37 behind South African winner Gerhard Zandberg.

In the women's 100 breaststroke final, Australia's Leisel Jones won the gold medal in one minutes 3.74 seconds. China's Sun Ye finished fourth.