Davies (left), a 1,500 metres freestyle bronze medallist at the last Olympics, said he was "delirious" after having the lead snatched from him with the gold medal within reach.
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"It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Davies told Reuters. "I made a lot of errors but I have to swim it that way, I have to do it from the front.
"I was swimming in zig zags, I was all over the place but I'm very proud of what I achieved."
He added: "Maarten is a worthy champion, a tough competitor, his story can inspire others. What he's achieved is fantastic, phenomenal."
China weeps for broken track dream
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