Aussie swim duo set new WRs

Stephanie Rice sees her new record [GALLO/GETTY]

Australians Stephanie Rice and Emily Seebohn have both broken world record Saturday on the first night of the Australian swimming championships.

Rice rewrote the record books in the 400-metre individual medley, while Seebohm’s effort came in the 50 metre backstroke.

Rice finished in a time of 4 minutes, 31.46 seconds, taking 1.43 seconds off American Katie Hoff’s mark of 4:32.89 set on April 1 at last year’s world championships in Melbourne.

The eight-day event at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre is also serving as Australia’s Olympic qualifying meet.

The 19-year-old took almost six seconds off her personal best time.

“I was so in shock,” Rice said. “I saw my time … but I did not think I would go that fast.”

Rice was a bronze medalist at last year’s world championships in the event.

Laster, Emily Seebohm grabbed the glory in the non-Olympic 50-metre backstroke.

Seebohm finished in a time of 27.95 seconds Saturday, taking 0.05 seconds off American Hayley McGregory’s mark set two weeks ago.

“The goal was pretty much all this season to get that world record … I just had to go under 28 this time,” Seebohm said.