Regan Smith is seen after the women's 200m backstroke semifinal at the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 26, 2019. Smith sets a new world record with 2 minutes 3.35 seconds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

GWANGJU, South Korea, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Regan Smith of the United States set a new world record of two minutes and 3.35 seconds in the women's 200m backstroke semifinals at the 18th FINA World Championships here on Friday.

Smith beat the previous record of 2:04.06 set in 2012 by Missy Franklin of the United States, touching home first to qualify for the final slated for Saturday evening.

She was followed by Kylie Masse of Canada in 2:06.57 and Margherita Panziera of Italy in 2:06.62. China's Liu Yaxin placed 16th, failing to advance into the final.

Earlier, the 17-year-old U.S. swimmer set a world junior record of 2:06.01 in the 200m backstroke heats.