PORTLAND'S Jay Lelliott was left ruing a missed opportunity despite winning silver in the 400m freestyle at the World University Games, in Taipei.

The University of Bath graduate qualified fastest with a time of 3:48.30minutes, but was at a loss to explain why he could not back that up in the final as Ukraine’s Mykhailo Romanchuk, a World Championship silver medallist over 1500m, clocked 3:45.96 – a new Summer Universiade record – to take the gold medal, with America’s Grant Shoults winning bronze.

Lelliott could only manage 3:48.88, failing to defend his title from Gwangju 2015, and was disappointed with his performance.

“The heat felt great – at about 250m I felt like I was in a good position so I started to shut it down a little bit,” said the 22-year-old.

“But in the final I just couldn’t quite get the catch with my stroke and I struggled with it.

“I’m a bit upset about that, I’m a bit devastated, I wanted to go quicker – but at the end of the day what’s happened has happened.

“I’ve got two other events that I need to do and I need to rebuild for those now – but I felt like I was capable of more and it’s a bit of a shame I couldn’t quite execute today.”

Lelliott still has the 800m and 1500m left to race, with the heats of the latter beginning tomorow and the former on Wednesday.

And, having also won 800m silver in Gwangju two years ago, Lelliot is confident that his medal-winning performances are not done yet.

“The atmosphere was incredible, I loved the atmosphere and hats off to Mykhailo, who was great today – I’ve just got to rebuild for the 1500m,” he added.

“I’m straight into it – no rest for the wicked! But I’m looking forward to it, the 1500m gives me a bit more time to relax into my stroke.

“So who knows what could come tomorrow, I’m just trying to stay positive and optimistic.”

* British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) is the national governing body for Higher Education (HE) sport in the UK, organising leagues, competitions and international representative teams for more than 150 institutions across 52 sports.

Over 110 athletes will represent GB at the 29th World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Chinese Taipei, August 19-30.