Bronze medalist Wang Jianjiahe of China competes during the women's 1500m freestyle final at the Gwangju 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
GWANGJU, South Korea, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese teenager Wang Jianjiahe won a bronze medal in the women's 1,500m freestyle at the 18th World Championships here on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Wang clocked 15:51.00 to claim her first medal in the worlds. She took a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games in the same distance.
Simona Quadarella of Italy secured a gold medal, finishing in 15:40.89 to win her first world title of the championships, followed by Sarah Kohler of Germany, who timed in 15:48.83 to take the silver medal.
The biggest favorite, Katie Ledecky of the United States, withdrew from the final, after recording the fastest qualifying time in heats.
The five-time Olympic champion pulled out of the 200m freestyle heats earlier in the day for an unspecified ailment.
The U.S. swimmer has not felt well since she arrived in Gwangju on July 17, according to the organization's statement.
The pullout decision was made two days after Ledecky failed to capture her fourth straight world title in the 400m freestyle. The 14-time world champion was defeated by Australian teenager Ariarne Titmus.
