JAY Lelliott struck gold at the World University Games in South Korea today, edging out his closest rival by the narrowest of margins.

Portlander Lelliott finished just 0.04 seconds ahead of Australian Jack McLoughlin to win the final of the men’s 400m freestyle in Gwangju.

In winning, the 20-year-old, a student at Bath University, went one better than 24 hours earlier when he picked up silver in the 800m.

Like the 800m, Lelliott was the fastest qualifier for the 400m final and he tried to stamp his authority on the race by making a lightning quick start.

At the halfway stage it was clear that the gold would go the way of either Lelliott or McLoughlin as the duo went stroke for stroke at the head of the field.

And going into the final few metres McLoughlin appeared to be ahead, however, Lelliott touched first in a time of 3.48:84mins, around a second off his personal best.

Lelliott’s dad Steve, who watched the race intently from his home in Dorset, was mightily relieved to see his son just get the verdict.

“It was another massively proud moment for me,” he told Echosport.

“I’m just walking on water right now.

“I was jumping up and down towards the end and it was a big relief when it came up that he had won.

“When they showed the slow motion replay it did look like the Australian was going to pip him but it all came down to the last stroke – it was tremendous.

“Jay had a cold about three weeks ago so the fact he was able to get over that and dig in for the gold says a lot about him.”

Lelliott has Tuesday off before going in the 1500m heats on Wednesday.