Ryk Neethling of South Africa won the opening gold medal of the World Short-Course Swimming Championships here on Wednesday.
Neethling, who led from the outset, held off a late challenge from European champion Filippo Magnini to take the 200m freestyle in 1:43,51 sec.
Italy’s Massimiliano Rosolino was third while American Ryan Lochte finished fifth.
Neethling’s teammate Roland Schoeman — the top draw here in the absence of swimming greats Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett — had earlier withdrawn complaining of a lack of fitness.
The biannual championships, which run until Sunday, kicked off with a glitzy opening ceremony featuring dance performances by local children. — Sapa-AFP