LONDON, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tyler Clary produced a major surprise in the Aquatic center in the London Olympic Games when he produced a stunning final lap to take the gold medal in the final of the men's 200 meters backstroke

Clary's swim took him past Ryan Rochte, who finally finished third behind Japan's Ryosuke Irie.

The win was a sweet result to Clary, who so often has had to settle for second place behind Lochte, such as in the 2011 World Championships, where he had finished behind Lochte and Irie.

"It's good to know that someone is just a bit better, I kept me working for more. At times it is tough to take when you always finish second or third, but it did spur me on and now it's worth it," said Clary after his win.

Swimming in the era of Lochte and of course Michael Phelps, who won the 20th medal of his Olympic career this Thursday, means Clary has had to live slightly in their shadow, but he said he understand why they had attracted so much attention.

"It's normal for two people to get the attention, it happens in the NBA as well, but look at what they have done for our sport. It has a lot more publicity of what they have done," he accepted.

Clary produced a powerful finish to claim his much desired gold medal and explained he had thought long and hard prior to the race in order to have more than one strategy for victory.

"The way the race panned out, I had thought how it may go, so I was prepared for where I was after 100 meters, when I started to lock up, I kept my hips high and tried to swim long, I knew I was behind at 150 meters and the fact I got my hand on the wall first is unreal."

"I have surprised myself, but I am using it as a stepping stone for Rio. I am on cloud 9 and I want more of this," said the 23-year-old, who has in the past spoken about considering a career in car racing.

Meanwhile Irie was pleased for Clary, although frustrated at not being able to cap a fine Olympics in the pool for Japan by winning a gold medal.

"Tyler is wonderful he is very friendly, he always shakes hands and speaks before and after the race. I want for us to work together and pull the world of swimming forward together," he commented.

"We (Japan) have not won any gold medals so far, so there was pressure, but more because I wanted to win, but we still have chances for the medley," added Irie. Enditem

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