Russian Nizhegorodov breaks race walk world record

Denis Nizhegorodov set a world record in the men´s 50-kilometer race walk at a World Cup meet Sunday, shaving 1 minute, 34 seconds off the old mark.

The Russian finished in 3 hours, 34 minutes, 13 seconds at a course along the banks of the Volga river.

The previous record of 3:35:47 was set by Nathan Deakes of Australia at Geelong, Australia, on Dec. 2, 2006.

With the win, Nizhegorodov, Athens Olympics silver medalist, has secured a spot at the Olympic competition in Beijing in August.