Yulia Efimova is 15 - and heading into waters that could cause Lethal Leisel Jones a few moments of concern in the build-up to Beijing. At Debrecen, the Russian who gave warning of things to come with some fast swimming on the world cup circuit, clocked a European record of 2:19.08 to take the European short-course 200m breaststroke crown.

The record splits: 33.48; 1:08.91; 1:44.02; 2:19.08.
By 50s: 33.48; 35.43; 35.11; 35.06

The world record stands to Jones at 2:17.75, while Efimova's effort lifts her to third all-time behind the Australian and the 2:18.86 of Qi Hui (CHN). The European standard had stood at 2:19.64 to Emma Igelstrom (SWE) since 2002. On 2:19.89, Nanaka Tamura (JPN) is the only other sub-2:20 swimmer.

Fifth at 100m and third at 150m, the young Russian sped past her rivals on the way home to finish ahead of Mirna Jukic (AUT), on 2:20.92 and Olympic medallist Anne Poleska (GER), on 2:22.66.