Three Chinese aquatics stars have been named FINA Athletes of the Year by swimming's world governing body.

Huang Xuechen, winner of the World Cup in duet, team and free combination, was named synchronized swimming's athlete of the year, while Liu Huixia, winner of the World Cup in women's 10m platform synchronized and the overall World Series in 10m platform was named the top female diver. Cao Yuan, winner of the 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform synchro at the World Cup, is the male diver of the year.

South Africa's Chad le Clos and Hungary's Katinka Hosszu were named the best male and female swimmer respectively.

The Athletes of the Year were unveiled in Doha on Monday, two days before the start of the 12th FINA world short-course championships.

Xinhua