ST CATHERINES. Canada. Mar 2: Canadian Chris Renaud said he was shocked when he realised he had broken the 50m short course backstroke world record when he clocked 24.25 seconds at the Canadian interuniversity swimming championships here on Friday night.

Renaud, who broke the previous record of 25.13 set in 1993 by American Jeff Rouse, became the first Canadian to break a world record since Mark Tewkesbury broke the 100m backstroke record in 1992.

"I was shocked when I looked up at the scoreboard. I couldn’t believe I had gone that fast ... for the final. I was mentally ready and very focused. I was really into it”. Renaud said.

"Dave Johnson, the national team coach had told me the record was possible. I was trying to convince myself the same but really I didn't think 1 could drop that much time." Renaud added.

The 20-year-old student broke the national 50 metres and 100 metres records at a meeting last weekend.