BARCELONA, Spain, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Cate Campbell claimed her first gold medal in a World Championships on Friday in Barcelona in women's 100 meters freestyle event.
The 21-year-old Campbell finished the race in 52.34, just above the world record of 52.07 held by Germany's Britta Steffen, who finished sixth on Friday.
Campbell told reporters that she "did not expect a world record " explaining that "maybe in a few years I will focus on that but now I am just enjoying the moment".
She was very happy about her results in the race and said "it was strange to be struggling your whole life to achieve something and then get it in one minute".
She confessed she was "extremely nervous coming to this" while clarifying "I never saw myself as one of the best in my field". She also explained she had a "love and hate" relationship with 100 meters freestyle that now had turned into love.
Campbell won her first gold medal when she was 13. She competed at the Australian Age Championships claiming gold in both 50 meters and 100 meters freestyle.
She also won two gold and one bronze medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney in 2007, while finishing first in women's 50 meters freestyle at the Japan Open in 2008.
Campbell made her debut at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 where she won a bronze medal in women's 50 meters freestyle and 4x100 meters freestyle relay with the Australian team.
In her second Olympic games in London, Campbell won three medals, one gold in women's 4x100 freestyle relay, while finishing 13th in women's 50 meters freestyle.
On Friday's race in Barcelona, Campbell was followed by Sweden' s Sarah Sjostrom who took silver clocking 52.89, and the Netherlands' Ranomi Kromowidjojo, who clocked 53.42, finishing third.
Asked about Ranomi, Campbell said she was very happy to share the podium with her. "Ranomi has two Olympic golds, I think she has got nothing to prove, she is a great athlete", she concluded.