Melbourne: Disabled South African swimmer Natalie du Toit smashed the amputee world record in the 50 metres freestyle at the Commonwealth Games on Friday.
Du Toit, who carried her country's flag into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Wednesday's Opening Ceremony, broke her own record with a new best of 29.32 seconds.
She had set the previous mark of 29.35 in Manchester last May.
Du Toit made history at the 2002 Manchester Games when she made the final of the 800m freestyle becoming the first athlete with a disability to qualify for an able-bodied final in a major competition.
She also won gold in the multi-disability 50m and 100m freestyle races at the Manchester Games.
She broke four world records in one day (heats and finals) in her category's 50m and 100m freestyle.
"I chose to stay in South Africa and train and not go to America, and I think South Africa is something that will always stay in my heart," Du Toit said upon learning she was to carry the South African flag at the Games.
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