Dutch swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo picked up her third gold medal of the short course swimming world championships in Hangzhou on Sunday, taking the 50 metres freestyle in a time of 23.19 seconds. Femke Heemskerk won the silver in 23.67.

Kromowidjojo won gold in the 100 metres freestyle and 50 metres butterfly earlier in the competition, but goes home with eight medals altogether, including four relay silvers and one bronze.

Heemskerk also takes home eight medals – six silvers and two bronze.

Swimming team coach Marcel Wouda told NOS after the last race that the two Dutch women had an important role in nearly all the Dutch medals in the competition.

‘Other times are on their way,’ he said. ‘You have to ask if they will still be with us in 2020.’ Both women have been at the top of their field since they were teenagers. Kromowidjojo is now 28 and Heemskerk 31.