Sun Yang of China celebrates after the men's 400m freestyle final at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

GWANGJU, South Korea, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Olympic champion Sun Yang roared to victory in the men's 400m freestyle final at the 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships here on Sunday.

Roared on by an ardent contingent of flag-waving Chinese fans, Sun led from the start and eased to victory in 3:42.44s, winning his fourth consecutive gold medal in the 400m at the FINA Worlds since 2013.

Sun Yang of China competes during the men's 400m freestyle final at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

Mack Horton of Australia touched home as runner-up in 3:43.17, with Italy's Gabriele Detti finishing in 3:43.23 for the bronze.

To rapturous cheers and applause, Sun celebrated his victory in front of the many Chinese fans in the arena, before sporting a patriotically-colored red and yellow tracksuit as he collected his gold medal.