Briton Peaty breaks 50 metres breaststroke world record

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© Reuters

Adam Peaty of Britain celebrates after the men's 50m breaststroke

Teenage Briton Adam Peaty, competing at his second major international event, broke the 50 metres breaststroke world record in the European championships semi-finals on Friday.

The 19-year-old, who won gold medals in Berlin in the 100 breaststroke and the 4x100 mixed medley, clocked a time of 26.62 seconds.

The Englishman's effort eclipsed the previous record of 26.67 seconds set by South African Cameron van der Burgh in Rome in 2009.

"I feel absolutely amazing. I had to look at that scoreboard about five times before I knew I had broken it," Peaty said.

"I haven't broken a world record before so I don't know how it feels. Hopefully, it will sink in by Saturday so I can get my head down and hopefully get a better performance out of myself in the final.

"It was not a perfect race due to my final touch so I can still improve tomorrow."

Peaty also claimed two golds and a silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month.