Ning Zetao of China poses with his gold medal after winning the men's 100m freestyle final at the Aquatics World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Aug 6, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

KAZAN, Russia - Ning Zetao of China led all the way to win the 100-meter freestyle at the world swimming championships in a race missing two key competitors.

Ning touched first in 47.84 seconds Thursday night, following up his victory in last year's Asian Games with his first world title a year before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Cameron McEvoy of Australia finished second in 47.95. Federico Grabich of Argentina was third in 48.12.

Reigning Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States tied for seventh with Pieter Timmers of Belgium in 48.31.

Russia's Vladimir Morozov was disqualified for a false start in the semifinals and defending champion James Magnussen of Australia is home with a shoulder injury. Fans crazy about new idol

China's Ning Zetao celebrates after winning the men's 100m freestyle final at the Aquatics World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Aug 6, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Ning places China's flag atop the sprinting podium at worlds

Standing on the highest step of the podium after winning swimming's signature race, Ning Zetao clutched his warmup suit by his chest where there was an image of the Chinese flag and thrust it upward.

And before he even got out of the pool he did the same thing with his swim cap.

The message was clear: China, already dominant with Sun Yang in the distance races, can sprint now, too. More stories