09 July,2009 08:06 AM IST | | AFP
Olympic champion Aaron Peirsol reclaimed the 100m backstroke world record on Wednesday with a time of 51.94 seconds at the USA Swimming World Championship trials last night.
Peirsol, who won Olympic gold in a then-world record of 52.54 at Beijing last year, had seen the record fall to Aschwin Wildeboer Faber, who clocked 52.38sec in leading off Spain's medley relay at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, on July 1.
Peirsol (25) lowered the 100m backstroke mark for the sixth time in his career.
Wildeboer Faber's performance had ended the American's near five-year reign as world record-holder, but as it turned out, only briefly. "I thought I could do something special tonight, and I'm glad I could," said Peirsol.
Matt Grevers was barely ahead of Peirsol at the turn, but settled for second in 53.11 seconds.
Peirsol, who booked his ticket to the World Championships in Rome later this month, said setting world records never got old, nor did the knowledge that he had maintained such a high level over time.
"Anyone can win a gold medal, anyone can break a world record on a particular day. Bu consistency is something that's a little more difficult to achieve."
Peirsol raced in a version of the Speedo LZR Racer that left his torso bare. He said the new polyeurethane super-suits didn't tempt him, nor did the LZR full bodysuit. "It just wasn't for me. I'm not saying it doesn't work for others but I wanted to do what I was comfortable with. This was good enough," he said.
