China's swimming superstar Sun Yang got his world championship campaign off to an impressive start as he posted the fastest time to ease through to Sunday night's 400m freestyle final in Kazan.
The 23-year-old, the event's reigning world and Olympic champion, clocked three minutes 44.99 seconds as Britain's James Guy, Canada's Ryan Cochrane and world bronze medallist Connor Jaeger of the USA also booked their berths.
The Chinese giant dominated the long-distance freestyle events in Barcelona two years ago with world titles in the 400m, 800m and 1500m.
He courted controversy last year after it emerged he had served a three-month doping ban from the Chinese swimming authorities for taking a banned stimulant.
He will be defending his three titles in Kazan, plus racing in the 200m in what promises to be a busy schedule.
There was disappointment for Australian teenager Mack Horton as the 2015 world leader in the event finished 11th in the 400m heats to miss the final by 18 hundredths of a second.
"It was my first international meet and I wasn't really sure of the pace, it took me by surprise, but there's still a long way to go in the meet" said the dejected 19-year-old, who also goes in the 800 and 1500m freestyle events.
'Powerful Peaty'
Britain's double world record-holder Adam Peaty set a new championship record of 58.52 secs on his debut in the heats to reach Sunday evening's 100m breaststroke semi-finals.
"That was my first world championships and the crowd out there was more like what you'd get for finals, it was mad," said the 20-year-old, who has broken the 50m and 100m breaststroke world records in the last year.
"I was a bit more nervous than usual, but I'm well set up now for the semis."
Olympic champion Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa was the second fastest through, but there was a shock for reigning champion Christian Sprenger of Australia who finished 28th and failed to make the semis.
"It was slow, very slow," said a disappointed Sprenger.
"I was OK in the warm-up, but it just didn't click."
South Africa's 100m butterfly world champion Chad Le Clos opened his Kazan campaign by comfortably qualifying for the men's 50m semi-finals as eighth fastest behind France's Laurent Manadou and Hungary's Laszlo Cech, who were the fastest through.
"I feel good, I'm happy with the time and I'm in the best shape I have been in for a while," said the 23-year-old Olympic, world and Commonwealth 200m champion.
Le Clos has a busy campaign in Kazan and will race in the 100 and 200m butterfly, the 200m freestyle and 200 individual medley.
Hungary's 'Iron Lady' Katinka Hosszu set a new European record of two mins 07.30secs in the 200m individual medley heats as the reigning world champion blasted her way into Sunday evening's semi-finals
"I broke my own European record and I am looking forward to coming back and going faster in the semis," said the 200m and 400m IM world champion.
China's Ye Shiwen, the Olympic champion, showed no signs of a reported ankle injury as she booked her semi-final berth as the fifth fastest qualifier.
'US, Australia men's relay bomb'
World record holder Katie Ledecky of the USA was the fastest qualifier into Sunday night's 400m freestyle final just ahead of Australia's Jessica Ashwood with New Zealand's Lauren Boyle, the world bronze medallist from two years ago, the fourth fastest through.
There was a shock in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay heats with both the USA and Australia failing to qualify for Sunday's final as reigning Olympic and world champions France went through posting the second fastest time behind Russia.
It was the first time the USA had failed to make the final at a world championships.
The US women's team had no such problems and rested stars Ledecky and Missy Franklin, but were still the fastest through to Sunday's 4x100m freestyle final closely followed by Australia and the Netherlands.
AFP
Sun Aug 02 2015
Sun Yang of China competes in the preliminary heats of the men's 400m freestyle swimming event at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan on August 2, 2015. - AFP Photo/Martin Bureau
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.