Ishchenko claims hat-trick

Shanghai - Russia's Natalia Ishchenko won her third successive world championships synchronised swimming Solo Technical gold medal on Sunday.

The 25-year-old claimed her 11th world title with a score of 98.30 points for her routine in Shanghai's main indoor pool at the Oriental Sports Centre. Ishchenko is also competing in the duet and team competition and widely expected to add to her gold haul.

China's Huang Xuechen, who had qualified for the final in second, was the 12th and final swimmer in the pool but was unable to overtake her Russian rival, scoring 96.50 points to claim silver.

Spain's Andrea Fuentes finished third on 95.30 points.

Results of Sunday's synchronised swimming final at the world championships:

Solo Technical

1. Natalia Ishchenko, Russia, 98.300 points.
2. Huang Xuechen, China, 96.500.
3. Andrea Fuentes, Spain, 95.300.
4. Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, Canada, 94.500.
5. Yumi Adachi, Japan, 92.600.
6. Lolita Ananasova, Ukraine, 90.700.
7. Despoina Solomou, Greece, 89.400.
8. Jenna Randall, Britain, 89.000.
9. Linda Cerruti, Italy, 88.300.
10. Anastasia Gloushkov, Israel, 87.500.
11. Mary Killman, United States, 87.100.
12. Wang Ok Gyong, North Korea, 86.600.