SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2013, Tokyo Day 1: Australia improves mixed medley relay WR

Zhou Xin, FINA Media Committee Member

RENANG-Robert Hurley, Christian Sprenger, Alicia Coutts and Cate Campbell of Australia improved their own World record in the mixed 4X50 metres medley relay during the seventh leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup here in Tokyo, Japan, from November 9-10, while South African star Chad Le Clos lifted three titles. The Aussie quartet touched the wall in 1:37.84, eclipsing the previous World record of 1:38.02 set at the Singapore leg four days ago.

"It's great to break the World record again. I am excited to share the podium with my younger sister Bronte. We two just finished a one-two in Singapore, so we did it here in Tokyo. Hopefully we can repeat that feat in Beijing", said Cate Campbell who won the women's 50m freestyle in 23.47 while Bronte Campbell and Dorothea Brandt of Germany both tied for silvers in 23.91.

South African Chad Le Clos surged back in freestyle to lift the title in the men's 400m individual medley in 3:59.23, beating Fraser-Holmes of Australia in 3:59.52 and Daiya Seto of Japan 4:00.72.

Le Clos added his second gold in the 200m butterfly by a strong comeback in the last 50m in 1:50.33 and third title in 50m butterfly in 22:26 while Nicholas Santos of Brazil came to second 22.33 and Roland Schoeman of South Africa 22.46.

"It is tough, but it is also a fun competition programme. All I need to do is to keep some energy for tomorrow's events and the next leg in Beijing. Maybe I will break a World record, probably in my favourite butterfly. Let's see it", Le Clos said.

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary claimed victory in the women's 200m freestyle in 1:53.12 and 200m individual medley in 2:04.52. She finished fourth in the 100m butterfly in 56.24 and seventh in the 50m backstroke (27.18) while Etiene Medeiros of Brazil sealed the victory in 26.61.

"I am happy with my performance today, especially in the 200 IM. I was able to go under the previous record. It was a great result after so many events. It gave me confidence about the future", Hosszu said.

Alicia Coutts of Australia won the 100m butterfly in 55.30, beating Katou Yuka of Japan and Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden in 56.09 and 56.14.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan snatched the mens' 100m medley gold in 51:58, followed by George Bovell of Trinidad and Tobago in 51.65 and Vladimir Morozov of Russia (51.98).

"I swam faster than my expectation, maybe it was because my breaststroke is getting better", said Hagino who finished second behind Chad Le Clos in the 200m butterfly. "I tried to be as aggressive as possible in the first 100m, but in the last 50m, my touch of water was not good. I was disappointed about that", Hagino said.

In other men's events, Vladimir Morozov of Russia took the 50m freestyle in 45.65; Gyurta of Hungary snatched gold in the 200m breaststroke (2:01.30) with a World Cup record; Eugene Godsoe (USA) won the 100m backstroke in 49.87 while South Africa's Roland Schoeman clinched the title in the 50m breaststroke (26.12).

Lauren Boyle of New Zealand won the women's 800m freestyle in 8:06.15, ahead of Mireia Belmonte of Spain 8:08.40. Alia Atkinson of Jamaica edged Yulia Efimova of Russia in the 50m breaststroke in 1:02.99; Etiene Medeiros of Brazil took victory in the 50m backstroke in 26.61 while Daryna Zevina of Ukraine topped the 200m backstroke in 2:01.70

BEST PERFORMERS AFTER DAY 1

Men
1. GYURTA Daniel (HUN): 2:01.30 - 984 pts - 200m breast 
2. LE CLOS Chad (RSA): 1:50.33 - 967 pts - 200m fly
3. MOROZOV Vladimir (RUS): 45.65 - 954 pts - 100m free   

Women
1. HOSSZU Katinka (HUN): 2:04.52 - 1001 pts - 200m IM
2. COUTTS Alicia (AUS): 55.30 - 986 pts - 100m fly
3. ATKINSON Alia (JAM): 1:02.99 - 986 pts - 100m breast