DAVID Davies won Wales' first medal of the 2006 Commonwealth Games today, finishing third in a Welsh record after a gutsy swim in the 400m freestyle final.

Davies qualified second fastest in the heats with a time of 3min 51.39 sec, just behind home favourite Craig Stevens in 3:51.26.

In the final he cut his time to 3:49.44, but it wasn't enough to edge out gold medal winner David Carry of Scotland and Canadian Andrew Hurd, who took silver.

He said: "I am so pleased to have Wales' first medal for 32 years.

"I really pushed it hard and was disappointed not to have won but I can't complain at a personal best.

"It is great to win the first medal for Wales and I have a few days to get ready now for the 1500m."

The 21-year-old won a bronze medal in Athens at the 2004 Olympic Games, becoming the first Welshman to win an Olympic swimming medal since Martyn Woodroffe took silver in the 200m butterfly in Mexico City in 1968.

The last Welsh Commonwealth Games gold medal was achieved in Christ-church 32 years ago when Newport's Pat Beavan swam to victory in the 200m breaststroke.

Davies' medal is a fantastic achievement as he only entered the 400m event to help preparations for his preferred 1500m.

The Welshman is favourite to take gold in that event following the withdrawal of Olympic gold medallist and legend of the pool Grant Hackett.

Davies' coach Dave Haller has described his charge as being in the form of his life.