Lilly King of the United States broke the world record for the women's 100m breaststroke on Tuesday in winning the gold at the world aquatics championships.

King clocked one minute 04.13 seconds in the final -- beating Ruta Meilutyte's 2013 record -- with compatriot Katie Meili second at 0.90sec back.

"It is amazing how the world keeps getting faster," beamed King, who is also the Olympic champion.

"I'm very, very excited about my first world record. I am really excited now what happens next."

King's joy upon touching the wall first was matched by her team-mate Meili.

"I got the time I wanted, it was a good race, so everything is great," said the 26-year-old Meili.

"I knew it will be a tight race, but I told myself that I should be happy with any type of result, but the silver medal makes me extra happy.

"It is always nice to see the US flags raised when you're on the podium."

Russia's Yuliya Efimova earned bronze at 0.92 and even though she finished fourth, Meilutyte was happy to see her four-year record fall.

"Records are there to be broken, if it's not me it's someone else," said the Lithuanian.

"It's great, I'm very happy to be racing the best, and seeing women's breastroke succeeding so much, and just to be a part of it and experience it, it's amazing."

source: AFP