Peirsol destroys record for backstroke gold

ROME (Reuters) - Aaron Peirsol ripped up his own world record to win the men's 200 meters backstroke final at the world championships Friday.

The American swam one minute 51.92 to beat the mark of 1:53.08 he set at the U.S. trials earlier this month.

Japan's Ryosuke Irie finished second with Ryan Lochte, the American who broke the world record to win Thursday's 200 individual medley, third.

The victory was sweet revenge for Peirsol who was unceremoniously dumped out of the 100 backstroke semi-finals as title holder and Olympic champion.

A torrent of world records have fallen here thanks to performance-enhancing polyurethane bodysuits that will be banned from January after critics questioned the sport's credibility.

Irie was disappointed with his showing.

"I'm not completely satisfied with my performance. I realize that Peirsol is a great swimmer but I expect to do better," the Japanese told reporters.

(Reporting by Mark Meadows and Paul Virgo; Editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)