Germany's double world champion Paul Biedermann shrugged off a nagging injury to break Grant Hackett's short course world record in the 400 freestyle in a World Cup event yesterday when he swam the distance in 3:32.77 mins.

Biedermann, the 23-year-old, who will clash with eight-time Beijing Olympics gold medallist Michael Phelps in the 200m freestyle today.

"I needed 45 minutes to get into the swimsuit. I have put on some weight but it was a great race.," Biedermann told reporters.

Phelps, who unlike many swimmers has opted not to wear a high-tech body suit, preparing for next year when they will be banned, managed a fifth-place finish in the men's 200 metres butterfly.

Australia's Leisel Jones improved her own world record in the women's 100 metres breaststroke in 1:03.00 minutes flat.

South Africa Cameron Van der Burgh improved his own world record, clocking 25.25 seconds in the men's 50 metres breaststroke while Japan's Shiho Sakai set a new world record in the women's 200 back.

German Steffen Deibler gave the home crowd a final cheer for the day when he broke the men's 50 metres butterfly world record.

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