World champion Mitch Larkin has eased his way into tonight's 200m backstroke semi-finals by qualifying as the fastest in the field at the World Championships in Kazan.
The Australian, who won gold in the 100m backstroke final on Tuesday, started heat four strongly and took the lead at first the turn.
The lanes around the 22-year-old closed in at the halfway stage of the race, but he was able to maintain the lead and easily stroke home in 1:55.88.
Japan's Irie Ryosuke clocked the second-fastest overall time of 1:56.68.
