Lewis Clareburt has claimed New Zealand's first medal at the Swimming World Champs, winning bronze in the final of the 400 metre individual medley in Gwangju, South Korea.
Clareburt was second through the first 200m but faded in the second half of the race, finishing third to Japan's Daiya Seto who won gold, and the USA's Jay Litherland in second.
The 20-year-old's time of 4m 12.07s was about what coach Gary Hollywood had asked of him prior to the race, with Hollywood telling Newshub he knew Clareburt could go faster than his 4m 14.56s in qualifying.
Clareburt had already locked down Olympic qualification after finishing his heat in fifth.
He is the first New Zealander to win a medal at the event since Lauren Boyle claimed two silver medals in 2015.
Newshub.
