Main moves into backstroke semifinals

Howick Pakuranga swimmer Corey Main has won through to the semifinals on day five of heats at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.

The Florida University student clocked an excellent 1:58:22 in his heat of the 200m backstroke to finish 14^th fastest and earn a spot on the evening programme.

Main started conservatively, outside the fastest 20 swimmers through the 100m, but was among just 10 swimmers who went under the one minute mark for his second 100m and only 0.5s outside his personal best.

Meanwhile victory in his heat was not enough to earn Glenn Snyders a place in the semifinals of the 200m breaststroke.

He joined star sprinters Adam Peaty and Cameron van der Burgh, who did not advance in the 200m event.

Snyders won his heat in a respectable 2:12.71 to be 23^rd fastest, 1.6s off the final qualifying mark with German Marco Koch leading qualifiers in 2:09.12.