• World Swimming Championships

Adlington grabs Britain's first gold in Shanghai

Rebecca Adlington narrowly won her duel with Lotte Friis, the defending champion © Getty Images

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• Profile: Rebecca Adlington | Fran Halsall | Liam Tancock

Rebecca Adlington claimed Great Britain's first gold of the World Swimming Championships by triumphing in the 800 metres freestyle in Shanghai.

The reigning Olympic champion underlined her status as one of Britain's biggest hopes for 2012 by triumphing ahead of Lotte Friis in a time of eight minutes 17.51 seconds.

Adlington trailed defending champion Friis until the final length, when she nudged ahead for her second medal of the championships, following second-place in the 400m freestyle.

"Lotte is always such a strong competitor that I knew it was going to be a battle," Adlington told BBC Sport. "I'm so glad I've added to my collection. She is just an absolute competitor and always there battling.

"Next year it will be the two of us again but hopefully I'll have the crowd behind me. I don't think I can do the 200m in London as I don't have enough speed. I want to work on the 400 and 800m, they are the ones I prefer.

"But hopefully I will get a spot on the 4 x 200m relay team."

Elsewhere, Britain's Lizzie Simmonds faded badly in the closing stages of the 200m backstroke, finishing seventh after reaching halfway in fourth. The race was won by 16-year-old American Missy Franklin, who swam the third-fastest time in history.

Michael Phelps retained his 100m butterfly title to claim his third gold of the championships.

Defending champion Liam Tancock won his semi-final of the 50m backstroke in 24.62 seconds to qualify fastest for Sunday's final.

Fran Halsall, fourth in the 100m, booked her place in Sunday's 50m freestyle final by finishing second in her semi.

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