Kirsty Coventry after her 100m backstroke semi final (Getty Images)

Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe is the fastest qualifier for Tuesday’s 100m women’s backstroke final at the Beijing Olympics after breaking the world record during the second semi-final earlier today.

Coventry swam a time of 58.77 seconds, eclipsing the world record set by American Natalie Coughlin by 0.2 seconds.

The Zimbabwean had set an Olympic record in the same event in Sunday’s heats with a time of 59.00 seconds.

Former world record holder Coughlin qualified second fastest and will start in lane five for the final after winning her semi final in a time of 59.43 seconds.

Australia’s Sophie Edington failed to qualify after finishing seventh in the first semi final with a time of 1:01.05.

The 100m women’s backstroke is one of four finals set to take place during Tuesday morning’s swimming session. The race is scheduled to start at 10.23am local time.

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Tags: beijing olympics, sport, swimming