CHRISTIAN Nikles made it back-to-back national records at the 5th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore after completing the heats of the 50m freestyle event with a time of 24.39 seconds yesterday.

His swim at the OCBC Aquatics Arena saw him go 0.16s faster than his own record of 24.55s set three weeks ago at the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. The result placed the 17-year-old in 47th position in the field of 85 swimmers and 1.91s behind the fastest qualifier, Kyle Chalmers of Australia.

Nikles had already managed a new national record in the 100m butterfly event clocking at time of 58.81s on Wednesday. National aquatics coach Eric Landa felt that making the right adjustments after the analysis from his swim three weeks ago helped him get a new best time.

"We both felt that if he could get to the 25m mark a bit quicker he would still be able to hold the same 31 strokes, not breathe for the full 50m and keep his kicks small, he could finish with a faster time," explained Landa in an email.

"This is exactly what he did this morning. This is why video analysis is so important for athletes who want to achieve continuous improvement. "You have to analyse where they are lacking, practise it and execute this change in a competition environment.

"If done correctly, this will then lead to a faster time. Today (Thursday) that worked out really well for Christian," continued the Dutchman. Nikles will take to the pool again today to swim alongside teammate Muhammad Isa Ahmad in the 50m butterfly event.

He will then compete in the 100m freestyle tomorrow while Muhammad Isa in the 50m breaststroke event. Muhammad Isa started off Brunei's campaign in Lion City on Tuesday with the 100m breaststroke event where he managed a time of 1.10.80 during the heats.

It was his season best but was 2.90s slower than his own national record of 1.07.90 from Nov 24, 2013.

Courtesy from Brunei Times