Chinese star Sun Yang completed the set of long-distance freestyle world titles on Sunday with a commanding performance to win the 1500m final at swimming's world championships.
In doing so he becomes only the second man after Australia's Grant Hackett to clean sweep the distance events at a world championships.
After victories earlier in the week in the 400 and 800m, Sun, 21, picked up his third gold in Barcelona, taking the final in 14min 41.15sec, with Canada's Ryan Cochrane 1.33sec back for silver and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri 4.22 adrift in third.
Although Cochrane led for the early stages, Sun stayed on his shoulder, then drew level and powered away in the final 50 metres to defend the title he won two years ago in Shanghai.
Cochrane is one of Sun's few serious rivals in this event, having also finished second to the Chinese giant at both the London 2012 Olympics and 2011 Shanghai world championships.
But the Canadian has insisted Sun is good for the sport.
"To have someone that pushes the event is definitely positive," said the 24-year-old.
"It can be a frustrating process to finish second over and over again, but it is exciting to go up against someone like Sun.
"I was satisfied with how I took the race out and I think I can go even faster.
"I am still developing as an athlete. I want to push the race on as soon as possible in the future and have the training base to last it till the end.
"You know he (Sun) is always going to have the back-end speed.
"I knew I had to push the pace early and build a lead.
"It wasn't enough, but I know that if I can push the pace earlier and feel good about it, why can't I build more of a lead and hold onto it."
