Japan's Kosuke Kitajima set a world record of two minutes and 7.51 seconds in the men's 200 metres breaststroke.

The 25-year-old eclipsed American Brendan Hansen's previous mark of 2:08.50 at an Olympic send-off competition in Tokyo ahead of August's Beijing Games.

"I feel like crying," the double 2004 Olympic gold medallist Kitajima said.

"It was a perfect swim and has given my confidence a real lift.

"Of course I'm only thinking about winning gold in Beijing and if I don't win gold I won't come back."

Kitajima won gold in the 100 and 200 metres at the Athens Olympics four years ago but has largely played second fiddle to rival Hansen since. Hansen still owns the 100m mark.

"It's great at this stage to break one of Hansen's records," Kitajima added.

"I kept getting beaten by him. Now I can go to the Olympics aiming for the gold medal."

Kitajima, who is contracted to Japanese company Mizuno, has been wearing swimsuits made by Britain's Speedo during the Japan Open event at Tokyo's Tatsumi swimming centre.

Reuters