Simone Ruffini of Italy competes during the men's open water 10km swimming at the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, a city of South China's Guangdong province, August 13, 2011. Simone Ruffini claimed the title of the event to win the first gold medal of the 26th Summer Universiade. [Photo/Xinhua]

SHENZHEN, China - European Championships bronze medalist Simone Ruffini of Italy bagged the first gold medal in the 26th Summer Universiade here on Saturday, by winning the men's 10 kilometers in open water.

The victory is also Italian's first-ever Universiade title. "I'm so tired. Though I'm the 9th in the men's 5km of World Championships in Shanghai, it's always my dream to win the first place," said the 22-year-old.

Russian swimmer Kirill Abrosimov pocketed silver while Hirai Yasunari of Japan realized his goal of seizing the bronze.

The competing venue Seven Star Bay is located in eastern Shenzhen. An anticipated rain is replaced by bright sunny day with subtle wind breezing through the air.