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Swimming

Liu Xiang breaks women's 50m backstroke world record

The Chinese swimmer made history at the Asian Games by producing the quickest 50 meters backstroke for a woman.

Update:
Liu Xiang breaks women's 50m backstroke world record
CHRISTIAN BRUNAEFE

Chinese swimmer Liu Xiang set a new world record and became the first woman to complete the 50 metres backstroke in under 27 seconds at the Asian Games on Tuesday.

Liu clocked 26.98secs at GBK Aquatic Center to take the gold and surpass compatriot Zhao Jing's previous mark of 27.06s, set at 2009 FINA World Aquatics Championships.

The 21-year-old, who placed third at the World Championships three years ago, was 0.7s clear of silver medallist Fu Yuanhui, while Natsumi Sakai took bronze.

Sun Yang added the 400m freestyle title to his World Championships gold from last year and silver at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, beating Japanese duo Naito Ehara and Kosuke Hagino by over four seconds.