Swimming: Thorpe shatters record for 800m gold

Ian Thorpe shattered his own world record to win gold in the 800m freestyle at the world championships in Japan.

The Australia's wonderboy sliced just over two seconds off the world record he set in Tasmania earlier in the year to finish in seven minutes 39.16 seconds.

But there was no stopping Thorpe as he claimed his third gold of the championships.

Thorpe, who had qualified for the 200m freestyle just minutes earlier, saw off countryman Grant Hackett, the Olympic 1500m champion, in an epic duel.

The 18-year-old did not take the lead until the final turn but powered away to win in 7:39.16 with Hackett second in 7:40.34.