Tokyo, Nov 9 (IANS): Australia bettered their record in the mixed 4x50 metres medley relay at the seventh leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup here Saturday while South African star Chad Le Clos won three titles.
The Aussie quartet of Robert Hurley, Christian Sprenger, Alicia Coutts and Cate Campbell touched the wall in 1:37.84, eclipsing the previous world record 1:38.02 set in Singapore leg four days ago, reports Xinhua.
"It's great to break the world record again. And I am exciting 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 were tied for silver in 23.91.
Le Clos surged back in freestyle to win the men's 400m individual medley in 3:59.23, beating Fraser-Holmes of Australia in 3:59.52 and Seto Daiya of Japan 4:00.72.
Le Clos added his second gold in 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 second 22.33 and Roland Schoeman of South Africa third in 22.46.
"It is tough, but also fun competition program. All I need to do is keep energy for tomorrow's events and the next leg in Beijing. Maybe I will break world record, probably in my favorite butterfly. Let's see it," Le Clos said.
Hosszu Katinka of Hungary claimed victory in women's 200m freestyle in 1:53.12 and 200m individual medley in 2:04.52. She finished 4th in 100m butterfly in 56.24 and seventh in 50m backstroke 27.18 while Etiene Medeiros of Brazil sealed the victory in 26.61.
Alicia Coutts of Australia won the 100m butterfly in 55.30, beating Katou Yuka of Japan and Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden in 56.09 and 56.14.
Hagino Kousuke of Japan snatched 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.
In other men's events, Vladimir Morozov of Russia took 50m freestyle in 45.65; Gyurta of Hungary snatched gold in 200m breaststroke 2:01.30 with a World Cup record; Eugene Godsoe of United States won 100m backstroke 49.87; South Africa's Roland Schoeman clinched title in 50m breaststroke 26.12.
Boyle Lauren of New Zealand won the women's 800m freestyle in 8:06.15, ahead of Mireia Melmonte of Spain 8:08.40; Alia Atkinson of Jamaica edged Lulila Efimova of Russia in 50m breaststroke in 1:02.99; Etien Medeiros of Brazil took victory in 50m backstroke in 26.61, Daryna Zevina of Ukraine topped 200m backstroke in 2:01.70.
FINA Short Course World Cup will come to the eight and last leg in Beijing during Nov 13-14.