Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui clinches 1,500m freestyle swimming world title

Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui enjoyed more success at the World Swimming Championships as he won the men's 1,500m freestyle title in Fukoka, Japan, on Sunday.

Hafnaoui came home in 14min, 31.54sec to finish ahead of American Bobby Finke on 14:31.59 and Australia's Sam Short on 14:37.28 to ensure a second gold of the meeting for his country.

Hafnaoui's time was less than a second off the world record of 14:31.02 set by China's Sun Yang in 2012.

"Bobby is so fast in the end of the race, he just pushed us," Hafnaoui was quoted as saying by AFP. "It was so close to the world record. I enjoyed the race and thanks Bobby for pushing me."

Short led for most of the race but faded towards the end to leave Hafnaoui and Finke going head-to-head.

"I think I deserve it," said Hafnaoui.