Slovenian ski jumper Timi Zajc has been crowned world champion on the large hill at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica.

The 22-year-old was second following the first series, just 0.7 points behind Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan, but took the lead after jumping 137 metres in the finals.

Kobayashi fell well short in the second series with a 129.5-metre jump and had to settle for silver. Bronze went to Dawid Kubacki of Poland.

"I couldn't imagine anything better ... Today is my day and that's how I'm gonna live it," he said after the 3 March event.

"I really like this hill. When I'm in good form I always jump well here, that's why I was confident. I was at my best today and I have nothing more to say.

"This is the most valuable medal for me because I won it on the home hill ... I'll always remember this. This is one of the best days of my live," he added.

Zajc's is the second medal for the host country, and he was also among the quartet which won bronze in the team event on the small hill.

It is the fourth gold medal Slovenia has won at Nordic worlds to date.

Among Zajc's major career achievements are gold and silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in the mixed-team event and the men's team event.