Swimming World Championships - Day 6

Kirsty Balfour delivered a strong finish to claim silver at the World Championships in Melbourne.

Australia's Libby Lenton maintaining time of 53.40 seconds in the Women's 100m Freestyle Final secured the gold medal. Dutchwoman Marleen Veldhuis took silver in 53.70, with world record holder Britta Steffen (Germany) claiming bronze in 53.74.

British hopes in the Men's 200m Backstroke Final were with James Goddard and Gregor Tait, who finished sixth and eighth. Goddard completed in 1:58.88 and Tait finishing in 1:59.41. Gold went to Ryan Lochte of the USA in a new World Record time of 1:54.32, ahead of compatriat Aaron Peirsol in 1:54.80, with Markus Rogan of Austria third in 1:56.02.

Therese Alshammar set a championship record of 25.82 seconds in qualifying fastest from the Women's 50m Butterfly Semi-Final. Netherlands' Inge Dekker and American Rachel Komisarz will swim alongside her in the final.

Stefan Nystrand was quickest in the Men's 50m Freestyle Semi-Final in 21.99. A close final awaits with only 0.32 separating first and eighth. American Cullen Jones was just 0.01 off Nystrand's time.

Kirsty Balfour trailed Leisel Jones of Australia, throughout the race, but a supreme effort to ensure she claimed asilver medal in the Women's 200m Breaststroke Final. Jones completed in 2:21.84 with Balfour second in 2:25.94 along with Megan Jendrick of the USA for the joint silver.

American Ian Crocker was fastest in the Men's 100m Butterfly Semi-Final. Michael Phelps was third quickest, with Lyndon Ferns of South Africa separating the Americans.

Britain’s youngest team member, 16-year-old Lizzie Simmonds completed the Women's 200m Backstroke Semi-Final in a a new personal best time of 2:11.20 to qualify for tomorrow’s final in eighth place. American Margaret Hoelzer was quickest. Defending champion Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe and Japan's Reiko Nakamura are the main threats.

Japan secured its first gold medal of the championships in the Men's 200m Breaststroke Final, Kosuke Kitajima went through the first 100m under record pace. He faded slightly, completing his win in 2:09.80, ahead of Australia's Brenton Rickard and Italy's Loris Facci.

Britain’s quartet of Dave Carry, Robbie Renwick, Simon Burnett and Ross Davenport completed the Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Final in a British Record time of 7:11.28. But, it was only enough for fourth place. USA won the gold in a new World Record time of 7:03.24, Australia the silver in 7:10.05 and Canada claimed bronze in 7:10.70. Michael Phelps, was first off for the American team, setting the fastest time of all four swimmers, to win his fifth gold medal of the Championships.