Italian Pellegrini sensationally clinched the title of the women's 200-meter freestyle in a world record time on Wednesday at the Beijing Olympic Games.

With all the top three swimmers in the tough final swam under the previous world record of one minute 55.45 set by the 20-year-old Pellegrini in Monday's heats, the Italian girl pushed herself froward with a strong dash to win her first Olympic gold in 1:54.82.