Swimming: Snyders takes seventh in Russia

New Zealand's Glenn Snyders. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

Seasoned breaststroker Glenn Snyders finished seventh in the 50m final at the world championships in Kazan, Russia today.

The Los Angeles-based North Shore swimmer clocked 27.36s, fractionally slower than his semifinal time.

Britain's Adam Peaty won the gold medal in 26.51s, .15s ahead of South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh with American Kevin Cordes third in 26.86s.

"Being in the final with the fastest guys in the world was pretty special," Snyders, 28, said.

''We had two world records as well in the heats and semi, so I was really happy to be in the final," Snyders said.

"The swim was ok. There were a couple of things I could have done better. I was happy to get those times in the 50m, after the disappointment in the 100m (when he missed the semifinals finishing 18th overall).''

He returns to the pool for the 200m breaststroke tomorrow, an event that will test the sprint specialist.

World championship teenage rookies Bradlee Ashby and Bobbi Gichard took on some of the sport's superstars.

Waikato's Ashby faced defending world champion American Ryan Lochte in his heat of the 200m individual medley and clocked 2min 02.96s to be 25th fastest.

Hawkes Bay's Gichard clocked a personal best 29.15s in her least favoured event, the 50m backstroke to be 29th fastest.

Corey Main is in the pool tomorrow in his favoured 200m backstroke.