Hosszu sets world record to win 400m individual medley gold

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 7 (IANS) Hungary's Katinka Hosszu set a new world record to win the women's 400 metres individual medley swimming category at the Rio Olympics.

The 27-year-old finished in four minutes 26.36 seconds on Saturday to eclipse the previous mark of 4:28.43 set by China's Ye Shiwen at the London 2012 Games, reports Xinhua.

Maya Dirado of the United States was second in 4:31.15 and Spain's Mireia Belmonte third in 4:32.39.

It was Hosszu's first podium finish at the Games, despite having netted nine world championship medals -- five of them gold.

In Rio, Hosszu is making her fourth appearance at an Olympic Games.