Swimming: China’s Qin Haiyang smashes 200m breaststroke world record, claims hat-trick at worlds

China’s Qin Haiyang shattered the world record in the men’s 200 metres breaststroke event at the World Aquatics Championships on Friday, charging to the gold medal in a time of two minutes, 05.48 seconds to complete a sweep over three distances.

Qin made a blistering start in the final and did not step off the gas pedal to break the previous mark of 2:05.95 set by reigning Olympic champion Zac Stubblety-Cook during the 2022 Australian championships in Adelaide.

The Zhuzhou-born 24-year-old was 0.92 seconds faster than silver medallist Stubblety-Cook on the night, with Matt Fallon of the United States took the bronze finishing more than two seconds behind the champion.

Victory was Qin’s third at the worlds this year, following his triumphs in the 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke, and makes him one to watch ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics.

Asked about his feat of shaving nearly half a second off Stubblety-Cook’s mark, Qin said: “It’s not my dream. I dream of the 100m world record.”

Earlier, Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan stormed to victory in the women’s 100m freestyle, capturing gold in 52.16 seconds to defend her title and secure a sprint double.

Australia had dominated the event with three titles in the previous five championships thanks to victories by O’Callaghan at Budapest in 2022, Bronte Campbell at Kazan in 2015 and Cate Campbell at Barcelona in 2013.

The 19-year-old O’Callaghan ensured that fine run continued by finishing strongly after a sluggish start to edge out Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong, who grabbed silver in 52.49 seconds.

O’Callaghan became the first woman to win the 100m and 200m freestyle titles at the same worlds.

“I came into this week wanting to have fun, enjoy it and learn. To have achieved so much is an incredible feeling,” said an emotional O’Callaghan, who overcame a knee problem to set a world record en route to the 200m title on Wednesday.

“Having fun is the most important part. Going into previous meets, I was just so nervous all the time and worrying and this is the first time that I’ve actually felt quite calm and just enjoying every little bit.”

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