Sun Yang claims 1500m freestyle world title

China's Sun Yang reacts after the final of the men's 1500-metre freestyle swimming competition in the FINA World Championships in Barcelona on Aug. 4, 2013. Sun Yang won the 3rd gold of World Championship with 1,500 meter freestyle triumph. (Xinhua/Xie Haining)

Chinese star Sun Yang completed the set of long-distance freestyle world titles on Sunday with a commanding performance to win the 1500m final at swimming's world championships.

After victories earlier in the week in the 400 and 800m, Sun, 21, picked up his third gold, taking the final in 14min 41.15sec, with Canada's Ryan Cochrane 1.33sec back for silver and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri 4.22 adrift in third.

"Normally at the Olympics I have two days after the 4x200m relay before the 1500m, whereas today there was just one so I really felt it at the end," said Sun after also being crowned the best male swimmer of the meet.

"I just tried to convince myself to stay as close to Cochrane as possible because I knew I could go faster in the last 100m."

The double Olympic champion had broken the world record in the 1500m at both last year's Olympics and the world championships in 2011, but admitted that a disruptive year in which he changed coach meant he wasn't in the best condition to break the record for a third consecutive major championships.

"This is an amzing night for me in my swimming life. After the Olympics I had to overcome a lot of problems, but I have come back and learned a lot through this process.

"My training was not very structured and that is why I was not in condition for a world record, but I am very happy to win another world championship title."

Although Cochrane led for the early stages, Sun stayed on his shoulder, then drew level and powered away in the final 50 metres to defend the title he won two years ago in Shanghai.

Cochrane is one of Sun's few serious rivals in this event, having also finished second to the Chinese giant at both the Olympics and in Shanghai.

But the Canadian has insisted Sun is good for the sport.

"To have someone that pushes the event is definitely positive," said the 24-year-old.

"It can be a frustrating process to finish second over and over again, but it is exciting to go up against someone like Sun.

"I was satisfied with how I took the race out and I think I can go even faster.

"I am still developing as an athlete. I want to push the race on as soon as possible in the future and have the training base to last it till the end.

"You know he (Sun) is always going to have the back-end speed.

"I knew I had to push the pace early and build a lead.

"It wasn't enough, but I know that if I can push the pace earlier and feel good about it, why can't I build more of a lead and hold onto it."

Special coverage: FINA World Championships 2013