Late call-up Clyde Lewis completely shattered after men's 400IM gold

Australia's Clyde Lewis has nearly collapsed during his post-race interview after winning the gold medal in the men's 400m individual medley at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Lewis, who was called up at the last moment after the withdrawal of champion backstroker Mitch Larkin, was barely able to stand as Channel 7 put him in front of the camera for post-swim chat, during which he only had the strength to summon one word.

"Obliteration."

He was called back in front of the camera some ten minutes later, where he still showed signs of serious fatigue after smashing his personal best time to take the victory.

"I was redlining about halfway through the freestyle, so I don't even remember much from that last 50."

He uttered one final sentence after being asked about the crowd, before the Channel 7 reporter ushered him off the pool deck to have a rest.

"It's such a lift to see them there. They invest in me so I have to give back to them.

"I feel... absolutely outstanding crowd. I loved it." 

Lewis said he was dehydrated after the race of his life.

"Yeah I feel great now I just needed a drink."

Lewis, a 20-year-old Queenslander, triumphed in Friday night's final by more than half a second from Scotland's Mark Szaranek.

The gold is Lewis' first medal at a major international swim meet.

Lewis came from third at the halfway stage of the medal race to overwhelm his rivals, making his move on the breaststroke leg - the third phase of the event.

The local caught the Scot within 50m of breaststroke and then produced a strong freestyle leg to hold off Szaranek.

Lewis' compatriot Travis Mahoney finished last.