Swimming-Richards off to winning start at worlds with British one-two in 200m freestyle

Fukuoka 2023 World Aquatics Championships - Swimming - Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A, Fukuoka, Japan - July 25, 2023 Britain's Matthew Richards celebrates after winning the men's 200m freestyle final REUTERS/Marko Djurica

FUKUOKA, Japan (Reuters) - Matthew Richards of Britain finished strongly to capture the gold medal ahead of compatriot Tom Dean in the men's 200 metres freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships on Tuesday with a solid time of one minute, 44.30 seconds.

Olympic champion Dean finished 0.02 seconds behind to take silver and Hwang Sun-woo of South Korea snatched bronze from a stacked field, while 2022 world champion David Popovici of Romania missed out on a podium spot.