Sun Yang breaks world record in men’s 1,500-meter freestyle

LONDON -- Sun Yang of China not only erased his own world record by 3.12 seconds, he won the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle by more than 8-1/2 seconds.

It was a remarkable performance by any measure at the Aquatics Centre on Saturday night. He won gold in 14 minutes, 31.02 seconds in the 1,500, which was his fourth medal of these Olympics and second gold.

Ryan Cochrane of Canada, who placed third in this event four years ago at the Olympics, was second in 14:39.63 and defending Olympic champion Ous Mellouli of Tunisia, who trains at USC, took the bronze in 14:40.31.

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Yang, 20, had set the world record last year at the world championships, going 14:34.14.

His was the eighth world record set at this Olympic meet. He acknowledged his achievement by, at first pointing, and the repeatedly splashing the water with a burst of emotion.

American Connor Jaeger placed sixth (14:52.99), 21.97 seconds behind the gold medalist.

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