Flash! World Championships: Leila Vaziri Bolts to World Record in Semifinals of 50 Backstroke

By John Lohn

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 28. HER star has been burning brighter and brighter in the past year as she's emerged as a leading performer in the backstroke. Now, that star is burning as bright as it ever has. Turning on the jets over the final 25 meters, Leila Vaziri set the first world record of her career by clocking 28.16 in the semifinals of the 50 backstroke.

Vaziri lowered the 2005 world record of Germany's Janine Pietsch, which stood at 28.19. Earlier in the day, during the prelims of the 50 back, Vaziri established an American record. So, it wasn't a complete surprise that she amped it up a notch at night. Now, Vaziri has to keep the roll going in the final and for her search for gold.

"I'm a rookie on the team," Vaziri said. "It's the best experience ever. It's so much fun racing fast. It's good to be in a situation in which all the coaches are relaxed, having a good time."

The former Indiana University standout had a comfortable cushion over the remainder of the competition, as Belarus' Aliaksandra Herasimenia was the second-fastest qualifier in 28.38. The third and fourth positions went to Japan's Reiko Nakamura and Mai Nakamura in 28.58 and 28.59. Pietsch was fifth in 28.72 and sixth went to Zhao Jing of China with a mark of 28.74. The field for the final was rounded out by Aussie Tay Zimmer (28.78) and China's Gao Chang (28.81).

Click Here to view event results PDF file.

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