KEY POINTS:
Auckland teenager Daniel Bell won the final of the 100m backstroke at the world youth swimming championships in Mexico yesterday.
Bell, named in the New Zealand medley relay team for next month's Beijing Olympics, won the final in a time of 55.32s.
That was slightly slower than his New Zealand open record-breaking effort in winning his semifinal when he became the first Kiwi swimmer to go under the 55s barrier in the discipline.
Bell, 18, did not rest on his laurels, turning around three events after his final to win the semifinal of the 100m butterfly in a championship record of 52.76s.
He is the second New Zealand swimmer to win a world youth title, following the effort of Southlander Natalie Wiegersma in the inaugural event two years ago.
Swimming New Zealand chief executive Mike Byrne said the result was a tremendous effort for Bell and his coach Donna Bouzaid and a real boost for the sport.
Beijing Olympics head coach Jan Cameron said Bell deserved credit for his effort.
"Fully tapered he is perhaps on track to get close to the mid-54s range for Beijing and that, coupled with the other more senior swimmers, means they are on track for a top performance in the medley relay."
- NZPA
