Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe reacts after finishing the women's 200m backstroke at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday. Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe broke the world record of the event. [Xinhua Photo]

Versatile Zimbabwean Kirsty Coventry won the Olympic gold medal by shattering the world record 0.85 seconds in the women's 200m backstroke final at Beijing Olympics on Saturday morning.

With a solid start, Coventry managed to lead off the field and touched the wall with half body length advantage at 2:05.24, 0.99 seconds faster than the world record holder Margaret Hoelzer from the United States who finished second.

Japanese Reiko Nakamura, who made her first final at the Olympic event, finished third with a new Asian record of 2:07. 13.

Coventry already bagged three silver medals in the previous races. There are seven Olympic medals in Coventry's personal collection.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2008)