Larkin completes worlds backstroke double

Australia's Mitchell Larkin won the men's 200m backstroke gold on Friday at the world swimming championships to complete the double.

Larkin, who had also won the 100m title on Tuesday, clocked 1min 53.58sec after a strong surge over the final 50m while Poland's Radoslow Kawecki took silver, 0.97sec back, as Russia's Evgeny Rylov earned bronze at 1.02.

Olympic champion Tyler Clary of the USA finished a disappointing seventh while China's Li Guangyuan, 18, swam a new world junior record of 1:56.79 in coming last.

The delighted Larkin summed up his double win in one word - 'amazing" - as he lowered the Oceanian record he had set in the semi-finals by 0.31sec.

"I came in wanting to swim like I did in the semi, I knew if I could do that there was a potential of a medal, but to swim that much faster and get gold. It's amazing," he said.

Larkin's win capped a great night in the Kazan pool for Australia after the Campbell sisters had earlier both won medals in the women's 100m freestyle final with Bronte taking silver as 2013 champion Cate earned bronze.

Larkin said he had been inspired by watching the siblings end up on the podium.

"This week has been fantastic: the rest of the Aussies are swimming fast as well - the Campbell girls are getting first and third was quite amazing," said Larkin.

"I think that sort of inspired me and motivated me to get that tonight."
Source: AFP