South Africa's gold medalist Cameron Van Der Burgh poses with his medal during the ceremony for the men's 100-meter breaststroke final at the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo on Wednesday, December 12, 2018. (Photo:VCG)

South Africa's veteran swimmer Cameron van der Burgh announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Wednesday at the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships underway in Hangzhou.

Van Der Burgh, 30, winner of the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2012 London Olympics, announced his farewell after winning the 100 meter breaststroke gold medal and breaking the championship record in a time of 56.01 seconds at the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center.

"When I made the turn at 75 meters, I knew I had a good chance, and I had to hold on. Luckily it wasn't one meter more or I would have lost that one," said Van Der Burgh, who was also world short course champion in the 100-meter breaststroke in 2010 and the 50-meter breaststroke at Windsor in 2016. He currently holds the world record holder for the 100-meter breaststroke.

"It means the world to me. It is my last race, so I am extremely happy. The world championship means a lot," he said. "It is the last one. It is sad but I am happy to end on a high. The last 25 meters was the most pain I have ever had in my life in swimming, so it was a good way to finish.