Sun’s shock absence overshadows worlds’ final day

KAZAN, Russia: Sun Yang’s shock last-minute withdrawal from Sunday’s 1500m freestyle final with a heart problem cast a shadow over the last night of the world swimming championships.

China’s world record- holder and Olympic champion confirmed his 11th-hour decision to quit was made after having chest pains during the warm-up as his sudden withdrawal caught FINA officials by surprise.

It meant the 400 and 800m world champion’s lane was empty for the final as Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri won the 1500m world title in his absence.

The 23-year- old Sun says he will seek medical advice after flying back to China on Monday and confirmed this was the first time he has been affected in competition.

“After the 800m competition, I didn’t feel well in my heart. I felt uncomfortable in the warm- up tonight so I had to give up the idea of competing,” said Sun.

The Chinese giant courted controversy in 2014 after it emerged he had served a threemonth doping ban for taking a banned stimulant.

Trimetazidine was in a prescription drug he sometimes took for heart palpitations.

Sun gave a ‘ no comment’ to numerous reports that he was involved in a physical altercation with a Brazilian swimmer Larissa Oliveira in the warmup pool on Sunday morning.

Severa l swimmer s have confirmed there was a heated exchange and reports in Brazil’s media say Sun attacked Oliveira with an elbow while Brazilian officials have made a formal complaint to FINA.

Earlier, Australia’s Bronte Campbell completed the freestyle sprint double as the 100m champion added the 50m crown.

“It’s fantastic, I can’t believe it,” said Campbell, who finishes with three golds and a bronze from the 4x100m medley relay after her 50m triumph.

“I really didn’t expect to win. Anyone in the final could have won this race.”

The 21-year- old clocked 24.12 seconds to win gold with previous champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands taking silver at 0.10sec back as Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom earned bronze at 0.19.

Campbell’s elder sister Cate missed out on a medal as she finished fourth at 0.24 in a blanket finish.