South African Cameron van der Burgh set a new championship record en route to a gold medal in a tight men’s 100 breast final, touching the wall in 56.01. Van der Burgh took about two-tenths from the old championship record and was .40 off of his own world record.
Just behind him was Belarus’ Ilya Shymanovich in a new national record (56.10), followed by Yashuhiro Koseki (56.13). Kosecki’s time will stand as a new Japanese and Asian record, breaking his own mark from his country’s World Champs Trials earlier this year.
“It means the world to me. It is my last race, so I am extremely happy. The world championship means a lot,” Van der Burgh said.
“It is the last one. It is sad but I am happy to end on a high. The last 25 metres was the most pain I have ever had in my life in swimming, so it was a good way to finish.
“It is funny how these things turn out. At least I have no loose ends to tie up or reason to come back.”
Congratulations