PLYMOUTH Leander swimmer Ruta Meilutyte continued her hot form in Italy by winning the women’s 100m breaststroke event at the Sette Colli Trophy Meet in Rome.

Fresh from her victory at the Mare Nostrum Series in Canet, world record holder Meilutyte clocked 1:05.68 on Friday evening.

That was the 18-year-old’s second fastest time of the year and continued her build-up to this summer’s World Championships, where the Plymouth College pupil will be defending her title.

Olympic champion Meilutyte was just short of the Sette Collie Trophy Meet record, which was set by Australian Leisel Jones in 2008.

Sweden’s Jennie Johansson was second in 1:07.19, with Italy’s Ilaria Scarcella third in 1:08.02.

Meilutyte will try to complete a double in Rome when she swims the 50m breaststroke event on Saturday.

Fellow Leander and Lithuanian swimmer Mindaugas Sadauskas set a new personal best time to win the 50m freestyle final in 22.54.

Leander team-mate Ben Proud is also set to compete this weekend after flying to Rome from Barcelona, where he won a gold and bronze medal at the Mare Nostrum Series.

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