Chad le Clos was emotional after winning the men’s 200m butterfly gold medal at the Fina World Championships in Budapest on Wednesday.

The South African clocked one minute 53.33 seconds, with home favourite Laszlo Cseh, the defending champion, taking silver and Japan’s Daiya Seto earning bronze.

‘It was an emotional race, before, during and after it,’ said a teary-eyed Le Clos.

‘I knew it was going to be difficult, with everyone cheering for the two Hungarians [Cseh and Tamas Kenderesi].

‘I’m very humbled to have come out on top and reclaim the gold medal that I lost last year,’ he added, referring to his fourth-placed finish in the 2016 Olympic final. Both his parents were battling cancer at the time.

‘Last year, my family’s health was more important than gold medals,’ said Le Clos. ‘I make no excuses for what happened last year.

‘I said that was the worst performance of my life in the 200m fly and I’d like to come back stronger and try to win the gold medal. That’s what I did tonight.’

Photo: Getty Images