The 27-year-old goes into the two-day event in China’s capital with a massive 237 point lead over nearest challenger Jeanette Ottesen of Denmark having dominated the opening three meets in Paris-Chartres, Berlin and Moscow.

Hosszú returns to the Water Cube, which hosted swimming competitions at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, as a three-time Olympic champion having won a hat-trick of gold medals at Rio 2016.  

"Beijing played a very important role in my career," said the Hungarian. 

"The first time I came to Beijing was for the 2008 Olympic Games. 

"I was 19 years old. 

"After the London Olympic Games, I came to Beijing and got my nickname - the 'Iron Lady'. 

"Now, coming back to the Water Cube again as the three-time Olympic champion, I am really happy to be here and happy to race again in this symbolic venue."

Hosszú is one of 110 swimmers from 22 countries due to compete in Beijing with Olympic medallists such as South Africa’s Chad Le Clos and China’s Xu Jiayu also set to take to the pool.

Le Clos finished runner-up in the men's 200 metres freestyle and 100m butterfly at Rio 2016 and is already eyeing a higher place on the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"It was disappointing that I got two silver medals in very close races in Rio," he said.

"But it was not too bad that our country South Africa had four medals in total. 

"For me the most important is to go back to water to prepare for the next Olympic Games. 

"I will be back with more golds in Tokyo."

Another name to look out for is home favourite Fu Yuanhui, bronze medallist in the women's 100m backstroke at Rio 2016, who said she will compete in some new events.

"I will not forget my favourite event - the backstroke - but I will try the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m medley as a start after the Rio Olympic Games," said the Chinese.

The nine-leg FINA Swimming World Cup is due to conclude with a two-day meet in Hong Kong on October 29 and 30.