SWIM star Jay Lelliott insists his primary focus will be on times rather than medals when he takes to the pool at the upcoming World University Games.

The Bath University student from Portland goes in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle in the South Korean city of Gwangju.

Lelliott admitted being “extremely disappointed” after failing to qualify for August’s World Championships earlier this year, but he is determined to make the most of his trip to the Far East.

Other than a bout of illness last week, the 20-year-old’s preparations have been excellent, with a number of impressive times in training giving him a boost ahead of the Games, which get underway next Wednesday.

“I’ve been swimming really well,” he told Echosport. “I was swimming great times in training early last week, then I got ill and that hit me a little bit, but since I’ve gone back in the pool things have gone well.

“I’m just going to go to Korea now and do what I want to do, and that’s hit times that I want to hit. If I get medals then that’s great but the times are what I’m looking at first.

“If I do hit those times then I think they would put me in a good position for medals – but I have to do them first.”

Not qualifying for the worlds at the British Championships in April was something Lelliott found hard to take.

However, he knows he can’t dwell on the disappointment of missing out on a trip to Russia this autumn.

“I really wanted to make the team for the World Championships but I fell short of that,” added the European 400m freestyle bronze medallist.

“I finished second in one of my events but my time was miles off what I needed.

“I was extremely disappointed, though I feel I’m back on track now and I’m looking forward to Korea. I’ve just got to put the work in and do everything right.”

Out of the pool, Lelliott has just finished his second year studying for a degree in sports performance at Bath.