Simona Quadarella won the gold medal in the 800 freestyle at the World Swimming Championships underway in Doha. After the world championship gold in the 1500 freestyle, the Roman athlete achieved a historic encore for Italian swimming.

The Italian finished her race in a time of 8'17"44, beating the German Isabel Gose (8'17"53), silver, by a whisker. Third place and bronze medal for New Zealand's Erika Fairweather (8'22"26).

Only Federica Pellegrini had so far managed to place an encore of world golds in the same edition, 200 and 400 freestyle. And an Italian hadn't won the 800m title for 51 years. A great feat for the 25-year-old Roman swimmer, who reached her last stroke at the end of an exciting race.

(Unioneonline/L)

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