BARCELONA, Spain, July 31 (Xinhua) -- American swimming sensation Missy Franklin claimed her third gold medal of the 2012 World Swimming Championships in Barcelona when she won gold in the women's 200 meter freestyle on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old justified her decision to drop out of the semi- finals of the 50 meter backstroke earlier in the evening as she finished ahead of Italy's Federica Pellegrini, the 2009 and 2011 World Champion, and France's Camille Muffat.

It was the first tie an American swimmer has won this event since 1978 and sees Franklin continue her incredible progression given that she finished fourth in the same event in London a year ago.

European swimmers have dominated the event in the recent past with the last non-European winner, Giaan Rooney, triumphing in 2001.