In the first event of the night, Team Speedo star Liam Tancock of Great Britain won gold in World Record time in the men’s 50m backstroke. Touching first in 24.04, Tancock lowered his own WR set the previous night in the semifinals of this event. Junya Koga of Japan won silver in 24.24; Gerhard Sandberg of Germany won bronze in 24.34.