Swimming: Masse wins 100m backstroke world gold in record time

Kylie Masse of Canada stormed to women's 100m backstroke gold in a new world-record time at the world aquatics championships today.

The 21-year-old clocked 58.10 seconds, breaking Gemma Spofforth's previous mark of 58.12sec from the 2009 championships in the era of the now-banned neoprene suits.

"I didn't realise I had broken the record until the finish, I'm so happy," said a stunned Masse.

"It's hard to put this into words, it means the world to me."

Kathleen Baker of the United States took silver, at 0.48sec back, while Emily Seebohm of Australia brushed off a cold to claim bronze, 0.49 behind.

"It's awesome, I kinda thought she would do it," said Seebohm, the 2015 world champion, of Masse's record.

"I didn't come in saying 'I'm going to defend my title', but to rather enjoy racing these girls, they're fantastic, there's great depth in the backstroke.

"If I hadn't got a cold last week, I could have been a bit stronger on that last leg, but I'm proud to be back on the podium after Rio," she added having finished seventh in the 2016 Olympic final.

"I did a big job to turn it around from the hole that I was in, it's my best time since 2015."

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)