Lenton sets 100m freestyle world record

Libby Lenton set a women's 100 metres freestyle world record during the Australian national championships at the Melbourne Aquatic Centre yesterday.

Lenton, 20, won her semi-final in 53.42 seconds, wiping 0.10 seconds off the previous world record set by compatriot Jodie Henry at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"I felt good and I thought I would just go for it," Lenton said in a televised interview.

"I was planning just to do my personal best time, but I am really excited to get the world record."

Lenton's record was the second to tumble in as many days at the championships, which double as the Australian trials for the Commonwealth Games.

Jade Edmistone lowered her 50m breaststroke world record to 30.31 in Monday's heats.

Lenton's performance also overshadowed the return of Ian Thorpe, who was competing in his first major competition since Athens. Thorpe cruised to victory in the men's 200m freestyle final in 1:46.42, but was unhappy with his time, which was 2.36 outside his own world record.