Another World Record
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Ryan Lochte broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke at the world swimming championships Friday night, ending the seven-year winning streak of American teammate Aaron Peirsol.
Mr. Peirsol, the world and Olympic champion, was under his world-record pace through 150 meters. He and Mr. Lochte went stroke-for-stroke over the last 50 meters, with Mr. Lochte touching in 1 minute, 54.32 seconds.
That erased Mr. Peirsol’s old mark of 1:54.44 set at last year’s Pan Pacific championships. Mr. Peirsol took the silver in 1:54.80.
Markus Rogan of Austria earned the bronze.
Mr. Peirsol hadn’t lost a 200 backstroke race since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when he finished second to American Lenny Krayzelberg.
Mr. Lochte won his first race in Melbourne, having settled for silvers in the 100 back behind Mr. Peirsol and the 200 individual medley behind Michael Phelps.
It was the 11th world record set during the meet.
