Biedermann leads charge as short course records tumble

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's double world champion Paul Biedermann shrugged off a nagging injury to break Grant Hackett's long-standing short course world record in the 400 metres freestyle in a World Cup event on Saturday.

Biedermann, who was doubtful due to the muscle injury that had hampered preparations, shaved almost two seconds off Australian Hackett's world record, set seven years ago, to clock 3:32.77 minutes.

"I thought it was going to be really bad today," said the 23-year-old, who will clash with eight-time Beijing Olympics gold medalist Michael Phelps in the 200m freestyle on Sunday.

"I needed 45 minutes to get into the swimsuit. I have put on some weight but it was a great race.," Biedermann told reporters.

Phelps, who unlike many swimmers has opted not to wear a high-tech body suit, preparing for next year when they will be banned, managed a fifth-place finish in the men's 200 metres butterfly.

Australia's Leisel Jones improved her own world record in the women's 100 metres breaststroke in 1:03.00 minutes flat.

Russia's Sergey Fesikov broke the men's 100 metres individual medley world record, clocking 50.95 seconds in the preliminary race.

South Africa Cameron Van der Burgh improved his own world record, clocking 25.25 seconds in the men's 50 metres breaststroke while Japan's Shiho Sakai set a new world record in the women's 200 metres backstroke.

German Steffen Deibler gave the sold out home crowd a final cheer for the day when he broke the men's 50 metres butterfly world record.

(Writing by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Miles Evans)