China's Ning Zetao salutes as he listens to the national anthem while receiving his gold medal after winning the men's 100m freestyle final at the Aquatics World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Aug 6, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Russian sprint great Alex Popov presented the gold medal to Ning, who gave a military salute while his national anthem played.

"I'm a fan of Popov," Ning said. "I always (employ) the skill of Popov's swimming to keep up my training."

McEvoy had the lead on the second lap until Ning passed him in the final meters.

"It might have been a couple of strokes, maybe in the second 25, which were a bit overworked," McEvoy said. "In the moment, it doesn't feel like that, and that's the nature of sprinting. The smallest increase in energy, you can pay for it in the last five meters.

Olympic champion Nathan Adrian of the United States tied for seventh.

Russia's Vladimir Morozov was disqualified for a false start in the semifinals, and defending champion James Magnussen of Australia watched from home with a shoulder injury.

Grabich grabbed Argentina's first medal in the history of the long-course worlds.

"It's very important for the movement in Argentina," Grabich said. "But the Olympics will be completely different. Magnussen will be swimming, Adrian will be in better form. It will be much, much more difficult."