BALLOCH swimmer Ross Murdoch once more proved himself as a man for the big occasion as he defeated the world champion to claim gold at the European Championships.

The 22-year-old dedicated his 200m breaststroke win in London on Thursday to his coach, Ben Higson, and his family.

The stellar show in the 200m was the highlight of the week at the London Aquatics Centre for the former West Dunbartonshire Amateur Swimming Club member after he took the full set of medals with a silver in the 100m and bronze in the 50m.

He was fastest qualifier for the 200m final, however in the adjacent lane was the imposing figure of German Marco Koch, the reigning world champion who is well known for a strong finish.

But it was Murdoch who finished furiously to pass Koch.

Murdoch turned in third at the half way mark and started to make his move, taking over the lead at the 150m mark.

In the final 25m, Koch was beginning to make in-roads into Murdoch’s lead, but Murdoch held on, hitting the wall in 2:08.33 to be crowned European Champion.

Koch finished close behind in 2:08.40 with Italy’s Luca Pizzini finishing in 3rd in 2:10.39. A jubilant Murdoch said after the race:

"That swim has been a long time coming, but I never thought it would happen in the middle of a training block, I’m so happy.

“I could see the waves that Marco was creating so knew he was closing in. I just had to keep my nerve and maintain my stroke length and I’m delighted I got to the wall first

"That swim was for me, my coach Ben (Higson) and my family. I’ve been coached by Ben since 2013 and I’ve never looked back and I’m so happy that my family are here tonight to see me win. Family are everything to me.”

Going into the Championships un-rested, Murdoch was unsure of how he would go, but couldn’t have hoped for much more.

His time of 2:08.33 is quick enough to frighten any rival, so he would be forgiven for feeling bittersweet about his win knowing he won’t race over his favoured distance at Rio 2016.

But Murdoch was philosophical about his dip in form at the Olympic Trials last month which cost him his place.

He said: “I knew the rules when I started. I’ll be there every metre with Craig Benson and Andrew Willis when they are swimming in Rio and cheering them all the way. I’ll be doing the most I can to make my 100m matter.”