MANCHESTER, England (AFP) — Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry smashed the world record as she struck gold on a thrilling opening day at the World Short-Course Championships here on Wednesday.
Coventry produced a magnificent performance to win the 400m individual medley in a breathtaking 4:26.52 to raise the roof in Manchester.
It comfortably beat the previous record of 4:27.83 posted by the Ukraine's Yana Klochkova six years ago.
Coventry finished ahead of Great Britain's Hannah Miley, who set a new European record of 4:27.27 to claim silver while Spain's Mireia Belmonte won bronze.
Coventry's performance capped a stunning day by the African, who earlier had dipped under 58 seconds for the first time in the women's 100m backstroke to lead the semi-final round.
She clocked a time of 57.99 during the second heat to smash her previous record time of 58.41 set during the heats. The performance also eclipsed the championship record of 58.02 set by last meet's champ Janine Pietsch of Germany in 2006.
"I can't wait for the Olympics" said Coventry.
"The world record has really set me up well for Beijing."
The United States set a world record in the mens 400 freestyle relay. The team of Ryan Lochte, Bryan Lundquist, Nathan Adrian and Doug Van Wie finished in 3:8.44 seconds.
Sweden had set the previous mark of 3:09.57 in 2000.
The Netherlands finished second in 3:09.18 - also ahead of the previous mark - and Sweden was third in 3:10.04. Italy placed fourth and powerhouse Australia was a disappointing fifth.
The third world record of the day went to the Netherlands in the womens 4x200m freestyle.
The team of Inge Dekker, Femke Heemskerk, Marleen Veldhuis and Ranomi Kromowidjojo finished in an astonishing 7:38.90 - well inside the previous record set by China in 2002 of 7:46.30.
Kenrick Monk maintained his growing reputation as a major force in Australian swimming.
Monk finished a fraction ahead of countryman Kirk Palmer in a thrilling 200m freestyle final as Australia made it a one-two finish.
Palmer actually led at the halfway stage before Monk, who has emerged as one of rising stars of the men's team since making his debut for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, produced a superb finish to finish in a time of 1:43.46 seconds - Palmer second in 1:43.50.
"This is my first individual title at a World Championship, although I was part of the relay team that won silver last year in Melbourne," said Monk.
Palmer was not too disheartened to finish behind Monk.
"If there's anyone to come second to it would be to Kenny," he said.
Italy's Massi Rosolino clocked 1:44.23 to take bronze in what was a compelling race.
It was a successful first day for Australia at the five-day meet as Felicity Glavez took silver in the 200m butterfly, which was won by Mary Descenza, who set a new United States record after recording a time of 2:04.27.
"I'm so excited, I feel very emotional about the record," said Descenza.
Great Britain's Jessica Dickons thrilled her home crowd by taking bronze while the hosts could add to their medal haul on Thursday after Liam Tancock qualfied from a strong field for the final of 100m backstroke and Kate Haywood qualified for the 50m breastroke final.
"It was always going to be tight, but it gives me an opportunity to win," said Tanock, who has just set the long course world record in the 50m backstroke.
Yet the opening day of swimming's last global event before the Beijing Olympics saw a number of high profile casualties fall at the first hurdle.
Former world record holder Peter Marshall of the United States failed to qualify for the final of the 100m backstroke after missing out by 0.25 seconds while South Africa's Gerhard Zandberg, the world 50m backstroke champion, also missed out.
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