PEAT WAVE
Adam muscles his way to second world title of the week
ADAM PEATY claimed he is now a “25-point swimmer”, after winning his second gold medal with a dominant performance in the 50m breaststroke.
The 22-year-old from Uttoxeter was unable to break the world record for a third time in two days, but took the win well clear of his nearest rivals.
Peaty defended his title from the 2015 Worlds in Russia, in 25.99 seconds, to dip under the 26sec barrier for the second time.
The result means Peaty has now swum the six fastest times in history, and – after winning 100m breaststroke gold earlier in the week – is Britain’s most decorated athlete at these championships.
Peaty (left) said: “It makes it official that I’m a 25-point swimmer now, so that’s good.
“In the final, it’s obviously going to be a little bit more tense. You’re fighting for a title, not the world record.
“I don’t want to set it to 25.7, 25.6 and then not be able to do it again.
“We’re starting to look at very fast times now for 50 breaststroke and I’m pretty sure I took an extra stroke that I shouldn’t have taken, that slowed me down.
“That’s in the bank now for the next one.” The silver medal went to Brazil’s Joao Gomes, who touched the wall in 26.52 seconds, as South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh took bronze, in 26.60.
Peaty’s schedule yesterday was hectic. He had barely an hour between his 50m breaststroke final and the final of the mixed 4x100m medley relay.
But the defending champion GB team could only finish fifth in a race dominated from start to finish by the United States.
“I knew we weren’t going to be at our best,” Peaty added. “Post-Olympics, there’s been a lot of youngsters coming through and we’re trying to fill the gaps.”