Japan's Kitajima wins 200m breaststroke title

MELBOURNE, Mar 30 (Reuters) Japanese Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima capitalised on the absence of American rival Brendan Hansen to win the men's 200 metres breaststroke final at the world championships today.

Kitajima led all the way to win the gold medal in two minutes 09.80 seconds, claiming his third world title after winning the 100-200 double at the 2003 championships in Barcelona.

Australia's Brenton Rickard held on to take second place in 2:10.99 and Italian Loris Facci was third in 2:11.03.

Kitajima finished second to Hansen in the 100 final on Monday but had the 200 at his mercy after the American withdrew because of a mystery virus.

REUTERS SAM HT1730