American Aaron Peirsol broke the 200m backstroke world record on Saturday, timing one minute and 53.08 seconds at the U.S. national swimming championships in Indianapolis.
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Aaron Peirsol of the U.S. waves to the crowd after setting a new world record in the men's 200m backstroke at the USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana July 11, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Peirsol sliced .86 seconds off the previous record of 1:53.94 set by compatriot Ryan Lochte at the Beijing Olympics.
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Aaron Peirsol of the U.S. gestures to the crowd after setting a new world record in the men's 200m backstroke final at the USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana July 11, 2009. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo] |
Lochte finished second in 1:54.21 as both qualify for spots on the U.S. team for the world championships in Rome later this month.
(Xinhua News Agency July 12, 2009)
