Spain's Garcia sets two records at world short-course championships
DOHA, Qatar -- Spanish swimmer Mireia Belmonte Garcia was unstoppable on the opening night of the world short-course championships, winning the women's 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley in record times on Wednesday.
In both races, newly crowned female world swimmer of the year Katinka Hosszu of Hungary was pushed to the second spot.
In the 200 butterfly, Garcia finished in 1 minute, 59.61 seconds, eclipsing the record of 2:00.78 set by Zhige Liu of China in 2009.
Defending champion Hosszu led until the last 50 meters, and came second in 2:01.12. Franziska Hentke of Germany was third.
The script stayed very much the same in the 400 IM, with Hosszu leading for three quarters of the race. However, Garcia finished fast to touch home in 4:19.86 and break the previous record of 4:20.85 set by Hosszu in Berlin in 2013.
Hosszu, the World Cup series champion, was well back in 4:22.94. Hannah Miley of Britain was third.
Earlier, South African Chad le Clos claimed the first gold of the championships in the men's 100 freestyle. The male world swimmer of the year was second until the last turn, when he changed gears to win in 1:41.45.
Danila Izotov of Russia took silver in 1:41.66, and Ryan Lochte of the U.S. came third in 1:42.09.
