Coughlin breaks 100m butterfly world record

American Natalie Coughlin broke the women's world record in the short course 100 metres butterfly at the FINA World Cup meet at the Nassau Aquatic Center on Friday.

The 20-year-old, a student at the University of California, clocked a time of 56.34 seconds.

She beat two previous world record holders in the event, Slovakia's Martina Moravcova and Jenny Thompson of the U.S., who finished second in 58.30.

Coughlin became the first woman to crack the one-minute barrier in the long course 100 metres backstroke when she clocked 59.58 seconds at the U.S. nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in August.

Coughlin had three victories in total on Friday. She also set an American record in the 50 metres backstroke with a time of 27.08 seconds and won the 200 metres backstroke in 2:05.76.