Records take a dip in Berlin

GERMANY'S double world champion Paul Biedermann shrugged off a nagging injury to break Grant Hackett's long-standing short course world record in the 400-meter freestyle at a World Cup event in Berlin on Saturday.

Biedermann, who was doubtful due to the muscle injury that had hampered preparations, shaved almost two seconds off Australian Hackett's world record, set seven years ago, to clock 3:32.77 minutes.

"I thought it was going to be really bad today," said the 23-year-old. "I needed 45 minutes to get into the swimsuit. I have put on some weight but it was a great race."

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

Russia's Sergey Fesikov broke the men's 100 individual medley world record, clocking 50.95 seconds in the preliminary race.

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

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

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