Cumbrian swimmer Luke Greenbank is an Olympic medallist!

He won bronze in the men's 200m backstroke final in Tokyo.

The Cockermouth star came third in a time of one minute 54.72 seconds.

Greenbank, 23, claimed Team GB's sixth swimming medal at the Games in Japan.

Russian Evgeny Rylov won gold with an Olympic record time of 1:53.27, with USA's Ryan Murphy pipping Greenbank to silver.

Team GB said it was the country's first men's backstroke medal since Herbert Haresnape in the London 1908 Games.

Former Cockermouth Swimming Club star Greenbank spoke of his elation after the race.

Speaking to the BBC, the Crewe-born swimmer, who grew up in Cumbria and went to Cockermouth School, said: "It is amazing. It is a dream come true. I am so happy, over the moon and a bit lost for words, I am not going to lie.

"My first memory of swimming was watching the Beijing Olympics [in 2008], so it has always been an ambition of mine.

News and Star: Greenbank reacts after his bronze medal-winning performance in Tokyo (photo: PA)Greenbank reacts after his bronze medal-winning performance in Tokyo (photo: PA)

"To come away with a medal, and an individual medal, is absolutely amazing."

Greenbank had qualified second fastest to reach the final on Friday morning and started well at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, sitting behind only Rylov after the first length.

He was overtaken by Murphy by halfway, but comfortably held on to to finish third.

Greenbank paid tribute to Cockermouth Swimming Club, including coaches Sean Balmer and Eleanor Walsh, national coach Mel Marshall, and his family, when interviewed after today's race.

"This medal is as much theirs as it is mine," he said.

Speaking about his development in Cumbria, Greenbank had earlier said: “Cockermouth has been a huge part of my life.

“I go back to see the kids, still see the coaches and my little brother still swims there.

“So it’s so important and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them."

Greenbank's former school were quick to congratulate him this morning:

Luke's father Christopher has also spoken of the family's pride in their swimming star son.

Speaking ahead of the final, Mr Greenbank told the PA news agency they were "hugely proud" of Luke's Olympian status and that they were "nervous and excited" ahead of the final.

Mr Greenbank said the family had “had no expectations” when his son had first taken up the sport but he had continued to progress well.

“To be honest, he started swimming at nine years old as part of Cockermouth swimming club – it’s a very small club in a small market town,” he said.

News and Star: Greenbank pictured at Cockermouth Swimming club aged 12Greenbank pictured at Cockermouth Swimming club aged 12

“We had no expectations of where he was going to go so we just took it year by year.

“He wasn’t necessarily a standout at that age but then just seemed to evolve and year by year he progressed, which was great.

“We weren’t thinking, ‘Oh, he’s going to be an Olympian by the time he’s 23’ – that certainly wasn’t on the agenda.

“But it’s hugely nice to see, and where he’s at.”

Mr Greenbank said that he would be watching the final on Friday morning with his wife Martha and two younger sons Adam and Sam at their home near Cockermouth.

He added that although it was disappointing not to be able to support Team GB in Tokyo, they were grateful that the Games could go ahead at all.