If gold medals were handed out for effort alone, Hannah Miley would have a top drawer full of them.

But unfortunately for the Scottish teenager they are not and despite an industrious performance at the World Championships in Rome, Miley had to settle for sixth in the 200m individual medley final.

She simply found the pace too quick. But there is no shame in that as the USA's Ariana Kukors stormed to victory and in doing so set the ninth world record on day two of these championships in 2:06.15.

Olympic champion Stephanie Rice clocked a new personal best but could only manage silver, while Hungary's Katinka Hosszu clinched a shock bronze.

And Miley is under no illusions as to the challenge she faces to ensure she is not an also-ran at major competitions.

"I've gone faster than that and I would have liked to have got a new personal best," said Miley, 19. "So it is a little bit disappointing.

"But for someone to go that quick is phenomenal and just to be a part of the race is great - so I have to look for the positives.

"It's all experience for me and I just need to make sure I keep improving."

Miley will not have too long to dwell on her disappointment and will compete in the 400m individual medley - her favoured event - on Sunday.

In last year's Olympic final Miley finished sixth in the longer race and the Garioch swimmer believes her first taste of action in Rome will stand her in good stead.

"The 200 medley is such good practice for the 400m - the 200m is just pure speed where as the 400m is speed and endurance," she added.

"I needed to improve on my speed in order to do better in the 400m, so it is a good marker for that and I'm looking forward with confidence now."

Scotland's Andrew Hunter recorded a 1.46.90 personal best in the men's 200m freestyle semi-finals but it left him only 15th fastest, with only the top eight - including Olympic champion Michael Phelps - advancing to the final.