SWIMMING: Alia Atkinson breaks world record in Tokyo

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica’s swimming sensation Alia Atkinson has broken the 50 metres breaststroke short course world record at the FINA World Cup Tour in Tokyo.

Atkinson won the event in 28.64 seconds, shaving 16 hundredths of a second off the old mark of 28.80 seconds which was set by Jessica Hardy in Berlin in 2009.

This is Atkinson's second world record as she is currently tied with Ruta Meilutyte for the 100 metres breaststroke record.

Atkinson won today's event ahead of Russia's Yulia Efimova and American Molly Hannis.

The Jamaican is one of only three women ever to have broken the 29-second barrier in the 50 metres breaststroke.

She will receive a US$10,000 bonus from FINA for breaking the world record, along with 20 points towards her cluster bonus.