The 26-year-old from Exeter touched in 24.50sec in his specialist event to claim gold ahead of France's Camille Lacourt, who took silver in 24.57, and Gerhard Zandberg of South Africa, who took bronze in 24.66.

The medal was Britain's second gold in the pool in China following Rebecca Adlinton's victory in the women's 800 metre freestyle event yesterday and Tancock admitted he was delighted to hold on to the crown he won in Rome two years ago.

"It was amazing out there," said Tancock, who is the world record holder in the event, which is not part of the Olympic programme at London 2012.

"These World Championships have been fantastic."

"I was World Champion in 2009 so I was defending that title tonight.

"When I made it to the final I thought there's eight of us, anyone could win from any lane but I thought if they want to beat me they've got to come and get me.

"I did everything needed to do, get in there, do a good start and take the race to them. I did and it was gold and a World Championship medal again.

"I'm on top of the world."


There was more joy in the pool for Britain as Swindson's Hannah Miley clinched the first World Championship medal of her career by winning silver in the 400m individual medley.

The 21-year old is European and Commonwealth champion in the event and dug deep to overhaul Australia's Olympic champion Stephanie Rice in the last five metres and touch in 4min 23.22sec.

America's Elizabeth Beisel took gold in 4:31.78 while Rice was just 0.01 behind Miley, touching in 4:32.23 for bronze.

"As soon as I turned, I didn't see Stephanie but I thought I've got to get a medal, even if it's bronze," said Miley.

"I knew the girl from China would come back hard in the free so I was kicking my little legs for dear life at the end.

"It's an amazing feeling.

"The Europeans were awesome and at the Commonwealths I was really glad to get a medal but this is the next closest to the Olympics.

"It's great I can get these performances.

"It just shows the hard work we've been putting in.

"We do put the hours in.

"There's no easy way around it but this is what we get."

It rounded off a strong showing in the pool from Britain at the event as the picked two gold and three silver medals.

This added to the gold won by Keri-Ann Payne at the World Aquatics Champions in the open water event earlier over a week ago to leave Britain sixth on the overall medal table.

The United States, who had 14-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps in the ranks, topped the medal table with 32 medals and 17 golds, Phelps himself claiming four golds in Shanghai.

China finished second on the medal table with 36 medals and 15 golds while Russia rounded at the top three with 18 medals, eight of which were gold.

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