China's Tang Qianting broke the Asian record in the women's 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:03.47, clinching her first gold medal at the short-course world championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Monday.

Tang, 17, first broke the record in the semifinal round where she also finished first in 1:03:99. 

Tang's compatriot, Yu Yiting, broke the world junior record in the women's 200m individual medley in 2:04.48, but had to settle for a silver medal as Canadian Sydney Pickrem took gold with a time of 2:04.29.

Also on Monday, Nicholas Santos of Brazil won the men's 50m butterfly, while Margaret MacNeil of Canada won the women's 50m backstroke.

Santos, 41, was competing against swimmers more than 10 years younger than him, but nevertheless managed to win the race, only 0.12 seconds shy of the championship record he set three years ago.

"I have my own company. I have to work. I also have a son to take care of, so I'm changing my life now," Santos said. "But at the same time, the competition still gives me great feelings. I simply love races. I still cannot live without them."

MacNeil's record-breaking performance was another highlight of the day. She took gold in 25.27 seconds, slicing 0.33 seconds off of the previous world record.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)