Swimming world championships debutant Ning Zetao has claimed the title at the men's 100m freestyle, clocking in at 47.84 seconds.
Ning says his result is beyond his expectations.
"I feel honored to compete with swimmers from other countries for China. I never thought I could make it."
The 22-year-old shot to fame by clinching four gold medals in the Asian Games last year in South Korea.
With his time in Russia, he's become the first Chinese swimmer to break the 48-second barrier and the first Chinese national to take gold at the event.
China has also taken bronze in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay, with the gold going to the United States.
In the women's 200m butterfly, China's Zhang Yufei has taken bronze.
Japan's Hoshi Natsumi claimed the title, while American Cammile Adams was second.
