The world short course swimming championships saw a brilliant start as swimmers broke world record seven times on Day 1.
BUDAPEST, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Short course world records were broken seven times on Tuesday as the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) kicked off in Budapest.
Paris Olympic gold medalist Gretchen Walsh of the United States became the first woman ever to swim the 50m butterfly under 24 seconds, setting a new world record at 23.94 in the semifinals, following her previous record of 24.02 in the heats.
Canada's Olympic champion Summer McIntosh claimed the women's 400m freestyle gold with a world record of 3:50.25.
Swiss swimmer Noe Ponti blazed to a new world record in the men's 50m butterfly semifinals with a time of 21.43.
In the women's 200m individual medley, Kate Douglass of the United States set a new world record with a winning time of 2:01.63.
Walsh and Douglass were also part of the U.S. team shining in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay, setting a world record of 3:25.01 to secure gold along with Katharine Berkoff and Alex Shackell.
In the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, the U.S. team, featuring Jack Alexy, Luke Hobson, Kieran Smith and Chris Guiliano, followed suit, smashing the world record with a time of 3:01.66 to capture gold.
The men's 200m individual medley saw Shaine Casas of the United States secure gold with a championship record of 1:49.51, while Italy's Alberto Razzetti and Canada's Finlay Knox rounded off the podium.
In the men's 1,500m freestyle, Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi took gold with a time of 14:16.40.
The 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) are being held from Dec. 10 to 15 at Budapest's Duna Arena. ■
