Australian Olympic rookie Stephanie Rice came from behind to claim her second victory with world record again in the women's 200-meter individual medley final here on Wednesday.

With American Natalie Coughlin and Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe changed the leading position in the first 150 meters, the 20-year-old Rice burst out in the final meters to grab the title in two minutes 8.45 seconds, slicing 0.47 second off the previous world record set by herself at the Australian Olympic trials this March.

Kirsty Coventry, who turns 25 next month, led the race after the first turn, but faded a little in the last strokes to touch the wall 0.14 second behind Rice.

This is the third silver medal for Coventry as the national treasure of Zimbabwe finished second both in the 400-meter individual medley and the 100-meter backstroke event.

Coughlin took the bronze in 2:10.34 after defending her Olympic title in Tuesday's women's 100-meter backstroke.

Rice beat top favorite Katie Hoff from the United States in the 400-meter individual medley, pocketing her first Olympic gold Sunday with a new world record.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)