Two of those records were set by Spain's Mireia Belmonte in Qatar's capital with world best times of 1:min 59.61sec and 4:19.86 in the women's 200 metres butterfly and the 400m individual medley respectively.

Both those victories were claimed ahead of dominant Hungarian Katinka Hosszú, the International Aquatics Federation's (FINA) Female Swimmer of the Year, who claimed silver medals in 2:01.12 and 4:22.94 respectively.

The 200m butterfly bronze medal went to Franziska Hentke of Germany, who clocked 2:03.89, while Great Britain's Hannah Miley clinched the 400m individual medley bronze in 4:24.74.

The third world record of the day was set by The Netherlands in the women's 4×200m freestyle relay.

Inge Dekker, Femke Heemskerk, Ranomi Kromowidjojo and Sharon van Rouwendaal clocked a world best mark of 7:32.85, ahead of China and Australia respectively.

Chad le Clos claimed the gold medal in the men's 200m freestyle event in Doha
©Getty Images


There was also a course record set in the men's 4×100m freestyle relay as France's Clément Mignon, Fabien Gilot, Florent Manaudou and Mehdy Metella finished in a time of 3:03.78.

Russia clocked 3:04.18 to claim the silver medal and the United States touched in at 3:05.58 to take the bronze.

South African Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos secured the other top podium spot of the day when he finished the men's 200m freestyle race in a time of 1:41.45.

The FINA Male Swimmer of the Year touched in ahead of Russian silver medallist Danila Izotov, who clocked 1:41.67, and defending champion Ryan Lochte of the US, who tapped the wall in 1:42.09.

"It couldn't start any better, I was really happy to get the win tonight," Le Clos said.

"To get the first medal on the board, the 200m free is not my strongest event so I can only get better from here, touch wood."

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