Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui wins men's 800m freestyle swimming world title

Tunisia's Ahmed Hafnaoui won the men's 800m freestyle title at swimming's world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, on Wednesday.

Hafnaoui touched the wall first in a time of seven minutes and 37.00 seconds, ahead of Australia's Sam Short on 7:37.76 and American Bobby Finke on 7:38.67.

Hafnaoui, Short and Germany's Lukas Martens were neck-and-neck for almost the entire race until Hafnaoui pulled away over the home straight.

Hafnaoui had earlier taken silver behind Short in the 400m freestyle on the competition's opening night. He therefore earned sweet revenge for the earlier miss.

"My last race, the 400, I just keep it in mind and try to go faster in the 800 and take the gold," Hafnaoui said.

Hafnaoui is the reigning Olympic 400m freestyle champion. Finke, who came into the race as the Olympic and world 800m champion, came through at the end to overtake Martens.