I was afraid this would happen. The results of the Japan-Australia Duel can be found here
http://www.clubsonline.com.au/uploads/swimresults/National/2009Duel/index.htm
1 IRIE, RYOSUKE 19 JAPAN NT 1:52.86!
26.84 55.46 (28.62) 1:24.42 (28.96) 1:52.86 (28.44)
2 DELANEY, ASHLEY 23 AUSTRALIA NT 1:57.90
3 NAKANO, TAKASHI 24 JAPAN NT 1:58.01
4 STOECKEL, HAYDE 24 AUSTRALIA NT 2:00.74
Irie broke the record by more than a second, and it's not like he was being pushed by the other swimmers during the race. Ashley Delaney finished 2nd more than 5 seconds behind Irie.
It is interesting to look at Irie's splits: all four laps were under 29 seconds. Hopefully someone will post a video.
Ryan has not had a big meet since Beijing. I don't know if he will be rested enough to get the record back until Rome...maybe at U.S. Nationals in July. This will give him extra motivation in his training, that is for sure.
ETA: According to swimnews.com (link posted below), Irie was wearing the X-Glide leggings, which have not been approved by FINA. The WR will not be broken unless the suit is approved. I've said before that the issue of whether the swimmers' times are aided by a particular suit is beyond my knowledge of the sport. Thus, I have no opinion as to how much the suit may or may not have impacted the time.
http://www.swimnews.com/News/view/6852
The suit issue puts swimmers in a horrible position. If the X-Glide is approved, and it does make a difference in the time, then does Ryan wear the LZR as usual at Worlds or does that put him at a disadvantage. I hate the suit issue.
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