Efimova breaks 50 breaststroke world mark in heats

[August 03, 2013]  BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Yuliya Efimova of Russia has broken the 50-meter breaststroke world record during the morning heats at the swimming world championships.

Efimova clocked 29.78 seconds in the one-lap race Saturday, shaving 0.02 off the previous record set by American Jessica Hardy in 2009 at the height of the rubberized suit era.

Hardy qualified second in 29.99, and 100 breast world record holder Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania advanced third in 30.07.

The 50 breast is not an Olympic event.

Efimova won gold in the 200 breast Friday.

[Associated Press]

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