Grevers clocks 100m backstroke shortcourse world record

American Matt Grevers clocked a shortcourse world record of 48.92sec to win the 100m backstroke Saturday at the USA versus Europe Duel in the Pool in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grevers, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist in the 100m back, broke the record of 48.94sec set by American Nick Thoman in 2009 in the era of now-banned high-tech bodysuits.

"I wanted it. I wanted it real bad," Grevers said. "I was pretty close in the 200 yesterday so I knew I had it in me."

Russian-born Serbian Arkady Vyatchanin took second for Europe in 50.37.

The race was one of 16 on the second and final day of the competition between the United States and a European All-Star squad drawn from 11 countries.

The United States locked up the title with 12 victories and a spate of American records.

That included Tom Shields' impressive 200m butterfly win in 1:49.05sec -- making him the fourth-fastest ever in the event -- and resurgent star Missy Franklin's 1:52.74 in the women's 200m free.

European women claimed all four of the continent's victories on the day.

The Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo equalled her own world record of 23.24sec in the 50m free and helped Europe to victory in the 4x100m free relay.

Russia's Yuliya Efimova won the 100m breaststroke in 1:03.19 and Hungarian Katinka Hosszu won the 200m individual medley in 2:03.66.

The United States remain undefeated in seven editions of the Duel -- the first three raced against Australia and the next four against teams drawn from Europe.
Source: AFP