LIU SWIMS IN RECORD TIME TO WIN 50M BACKSTROKE

JAKARTA: China’s Liu Xiang surprised even herself as she swam a world record time to win the women’s 50 metres backstroke at the Asian Games on Tuesday, storming home in 26.98 seconds to claim her first major title.

The 21-year-old’s time bettered the 27.06 seconds which her compatriot Zhao Jing swam in a bodysuit at the Rome world championships in 2009.

It was the first world record to fall in the Asian Games pool since Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima improved the 200m breaststroke mark in Busan in 2002. “I didn’t see the result I only heard the words ‘world record’, I couldn’t believe it!,” Liu told reporters at the Jakarta pool. “It was like a dream. I did not expect to do that! It’s not even my favourite event.”

Immediately dubbed ‘The Mermaid’ by the media back home, Liu wasn’t going to let the fact that the event is not contested at the Olympic Games take the gloss off the moment. “I don’t care whether it’s an Olympic event or not, all I care about is doing the best for myself,” she said.

MUSICAL MIX-UP FAILS TO FLOOR CHINA

JAKARTA: China’s Chen Yile overcame a musical mix-up in the gymnastics hall at the Asian Games on Tuesday to bag gold in the women’s all-around competition, with team-mate Luo Huan securing second spot.

Chen, 16, was due to begin her floor exercise when a tune — not the one she had chosen — began blaring from the speakers at the arena in Jakarta. The teenager, who won the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne earlier this year, was forced to wait for several minutes on the edge of the mat before the correct music was located and switched on. However, Chen appeared unphased about the incident.

Chen, who scored 55.950 points, said she was “excited to get gold” but added that she could turn in an even better performance in the team events.

Compatriot Luo Huan grabbed silver with 54.550 and North Korean Kim Su Jong took bronze with 53.600.