Le Clos smashes world record

Le Clos, already 92 points clear of Russian Vladimir Morozov in the series standings, secured two gold medals on the opening day of the sixth leg of the lucrative annual competition.

He coasted to victory in the 200m discipline of his specialist stroke, bagging the gold medal in 1:48.56 to improve his own global best of 1:49.04, set in the opening leg of the series in Eindhoven three months ago.

The 21-year-old South African went on to collect the 50m butterfly gold medal, springing a surprise victory over countryman Roland Schoeman.

Le Clos won the sprint final in 22.24 seconds, with veteran Schoeman ensuring a South African one-two by picking up the silver medal in 22.62.

Schoeman, a former triple Olympic medallist, went one better in the 50m breaststroke final, winning gold in 25.68 to comfortably hold off Australian Christian Sprenger by 0.56 seconds.

Rising distance star Myles Brown was also among the medals, adding a bronze to the South African haul by finishing third in the men’s 400m freestyle in 3:41.02.

Robert Hurley of Australia grabbed gold in 3:38.68 and Australian Thomas Fraser-Homes was second in 3:38.92.

– Sapa