Larkin claims first gold for Aus in Doha

Mitch Larkin has lead a successful second night in the pool for Australia's swimmers at the world short-course championships in Doha.

Australian swimmer Mitch Larkin

Mitch Larkin has won gold in the men's 100m backstroke in the Short-Course Swimming Championships. (AAP)

Olympian Mitch Larkin has claimed Australia's first gold medal at the world short-course swimming championships in Doha.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist took out the men's 100m backstroke title in a time of 49.57.

"My coach Michael Bohl and I have worked on my skills and making sure I nail the turns and I think that was a factor tonight," Larkin said.

"The time was a little off my best but I have said it would always come down to the best racer on the night."

Larkin pipped Poland's Radoslaw Kawecki, who snuck in on the wall to win silver in 50.11.

The bronze was a dead heat between Japan's Ryosuke Irie from Japan and London Games 100m gold medallist Matt Grevers (USA).

Meanwhile, the fastest swim of Emily Seebohm's career wasn't enough to score a second gold medal in the women's 100m backstroke.

Hungarian Katinka Hosszu set a world record of 55.03 to surge ahead of the Australian, who still managed a new Commonwealth and Australian record (55.31).

Compatriot Madi Wilson came fourth.

Seebohm went on to qualify for the final of the 100m individual medley.

Teammate Tommaso D'Orsogna also added to Australia's medal haul on the second night of the competition, picking up bronze with a personal best of 49.60 in the 100m butterfly final.

That race was won by South African superstar Chad le Clos, who set a new world record of 48.44.

"I've hit the right form at the right time," D'Orsogna said.

"I'm looking forward to the rest of the meet with the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle to come."

In other results, Leiston Pickett and Sally Hunter finished fourth and seventh respectively in the 50m breaststroke final, while Bronte Campbell qualified second for the 100m freestyle final.


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