Davies downhearted despite bronze

Davies won Wales' first medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games

David Davies felt he wasted a golden opportunity in the 400m freestyle at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

The Welshman, who prefers the longer 1500m distance, led at the halfway stage but finished third to win bronze.

"It's not my main event so I'm pleased to win a medal. I've set a new personal best and a Welsh record so I can't complain too much," said Davies.

"But I went out hard and thought I could have gone a bit quicker, but the legs faded a bit at the end."

Scotland's David Carry took gold in a time of three minutes, 48.17 seconds, with Canada's Andrew Hurd edging out Davies by less than half second in Melbourne.

Davies added: "I've finished with too much energy when I've swam these races before because I'm more accustomed to the longer distances.

"This was a bit of sprint for me so I thought I needed to take it out there and try to hang on.

Carry triumphs in 400m freestyle

"I'm delighted to get a medal. I would have liked to have gone a bit quicker but it's something to learn from in the future.

"Hopefully this can set Wales for a big medal total at the end of the Games."

Davies is a strong favourite to win gold in the 1500m after his main rival and Olympic champion Grant Hackett withdrew with injury.

The 21-year-old will begin his quest to win Wales' first Commonwealth swimming gold medal for 32 years on Monday.