Former world record holder Aaron Peirsol reclaimed the 100 meters backstroke world record on Wednesday in the U.S. swimming championships and national trial for the world championships.

Peirsol, 25, stormed home in 51.94, shaving .44 seconds off the mark of 52.38 set by Aschwin Wildeboer Faber in leading off Spain's medley relay at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, on July 1.

Peirsol won the Beijing Olympic gold in a then-world record of 52.54 last year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2009)