Athens 2004 silver medalist Denis Nizhegorodov (left) set a new world record in the 50 km walk by clocking three hours, 34 minutes and 14 seconds at the World Race Walking Cup on Sunday, 11 May, according to a Reuters report.

The 27-year-old Russian bettered the time of 3:35.47 set by Australian Nathan Deakes on Dec. 2, 2006 in Geelong, Australia.

“It becomes a good tradition for me to set records before the Olympics,” said Nizhegorodov, who won the silver medal in the 50 km walk at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“I broke the world record in May 2004, a couple of months before the Games in Athens, but unfortunately that record wasn’t ratified. I hope it’ll be different this time round.”

PHOTO SOURCE: olympic.org