Teddington-based Jake Wightman, who spent time on placement at St Mary's University in Twickenham, became a World Champion last night.

He claimed victory in the 1500m in Eugene, Oregon, in a stunning victory over the reigning Olympic gold medallist, Jakob Ingebrigtsen.

The 28-year-old's remarkable win was witnessed by his father, Geoff, who called him home as the event's stadium commentator, and his delighted mother Susan.

Jake is just the latest running star to be nurtured in the centre of excellence that is St Mary's University where teams of British distance athletes have honed their fitness on the roads as well as both Richmond and Bushy parks.

He is an Endurance Performance Centre affiliate at the university, which tweeted its congratulations.

His new personal best and title-winning run of three minutes 29.23 in Eugene is the second fastest ever 1500m time by a Briton, putting him ahead of Steve Cram, Steve Ovett and Lord Sebastian Coe.

The St Mary's track is named after the running legend Sir Mo Farrah, who is currently the only Briton to have run faster over 1500m than Jake.

After crossing the line, a shocked Jake said simply: "Oh. My. God."

He added: "It's mad…. It probably won't sink in until I have retired I don't think."

Jake said: "I knew if I was there with 200m to go I could put myself in a position to win it and I was running for my life on that home straight.

"What's the point starting a race and not putting yourself in a position not to win it? The opportunity was there.

"Jakob is so good I knew at some point he was going to come past. So I gave it a go and the closer I got to the line the more likely I felt that wasn't going to happen.

"I have given up so much to get to this point and it makes everything worth it."

Steve Cram, who was commentating for the BBC, hailed Jake's bravery. "What I loved about it was the move with 200m to go. It was brave," he said.

"It was already fast. It would have been very easy to say, I will just sit here and see what I can get in the home straight. No, he said, I will try to win this.

"That decision with 200m to go is what won it for him, to try to win the race. I couldn't be happier for him."

Cram said: "It's just a great story because he is the sort of athlete that so many others can look up to.

"He wasn't smashing records when he was a junior, age-group records or anything. Just steady, steady progress, a real commitment to what he does, believes in himself.

"He is not brash, he just waits until he is ready and he has produced the performance there. He is a very smart runner. I don't know too many people who have a better racing brain."

Wightman's team-mate Josh Kerr, the Olympic bronze medallist, finished fifth.

Kerr said: "That is awesome, so awesome for Jake. I am disappointed for myself but proud of my team-mate Jake.

"I couldn't think of a more deserving guy, such a legend, so nice, hardworking, honest, and I am super proud of what he has achieved."