FLASH! Aussies Matt Welsh, Leisel Jones Set World Records in Barcelona

BARCELONA, July 21. AUSSIES Matt Welsh and Leisel Jones set back-to-back world records just minutes ago at the World Championships in Barcelona.

First Welsh, best known as a backstroker, won the finals of the men's 50m butterfly in 23.43 seconds, shaving one-hundredth of a second off teammate Geoff Huegill's global standard. Huegill was fourth tonight in 23.76.

Afterwards, Welsh told SwimInfo: "Being a backstroker probably helped me to win this 50. The first thing that went through my mind was: 'Oh, my God, I've won! Oh, my God, it's a world record!"

The USA's Ian Crocker, fastest through the semifinal in 23.47, was second in 23.62, while Russia's Evgueni Korotychkine was a surprise third in 23.73.

Welsh was still drying off when 17 year-old teammate Leisel "Lethal" Jones broke Penny Heyns' world mark of 1:06.52 in the semifinals of the women's 100m breaststroke.

Splitting 31.40 at the 50, Jones came storming home to touch in a brilliant 1:06.37.

A teary-eyed Jones told SwimInfo: "I was literally shocked. That's why I started to cry right after I saw the results! I never thought that my years of hard work would pay off like this. I still can't beleive it, but I am very happy!"

American Amanda Beard qualified second in a PR 1:07.57 while China's Luo Xuejuan, last year's world leader, qualified third in 1:07.76.

Aussie Matt Welsh interviewed at 2003 Worlds Barcelona

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