Flash! Lenton Dips Under 52 Seconds to Set New 100 Freestyle World Record

Photos & Story by Stephen J. Thomas

MELBOURNE, Australia, August 8. AUSSIE golden girl Libby Lenton continued her sensational form from Montreal and the Duel in the Pool meet in California last week to produce the sensational time of 51.91 in a semifinal of the 100 freestyle at the Australian Short Course Championships here tonight.

The 20-year-old Queenslander sliced .26 off the old standard set by Sweden’s Therese Alshammar at the World Champs in Athens in 2000. Lenton had held the second fastest time in history at 52.28, but tonight split an amazing 24.97 to become the first woman under 52 seconds.

In women’s finals action tonight, Brooke Hanson became the third fastest performer over the 50 breaststroke when she took out the final in 30.12 edging world-record holder Jade Edmistone (30.29). Edmistone’s world mark stands at 29.90.

Queenslander Melissa Gorman clocked a PR 8:23.93 to comfortably win the 800 freestyle from world champs representative Sarah Paton (8:28.40) while Tay Zimmer (59.11) edged out training partner Sophie Edington (59.18) in a competitive 100 backstroke.

In the men’s events, Aussie record-holder Matt Welsh won his seventh consecutive 100 backstroke in 51.58 from the improving Michael Jackson (PR 52.42). Veteran Adam Pine won his first 100 fly championship in a solid 51.70 and Aussie record-holder Brenton Rickard retained his 100 breaststroke title in 59.13 from Christian Sprenger (59.66).

In the absence of title-holder Adam Lucas, Leith Brodie easily took out the 400 IM in a PR 4:11.91. Rookie freestyle sprinter Matthew Targett continued to impress clocking another PR 21.93 – sixth all-time Aussie performer – to be fastest qualifier into tomorrow night's 50 freestyle final ahead of Olympians Ashley Callus (22.08) and Eamon Sullivan (PR 22.09).

100 free WR at the wall

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