World record and gold medal for Adam Peaty
ADAM PEATY has become the first man in history to break 57 seconds in the 200m breaststroke setting a new world record of 56.88 at the World Aquatics Championships in South Korea.
He set the time in the semi finals, streaking clear of his rivals to win by almost two full seconds and said to break the milestone was incredible.
“It feels incredible! I’ve been chasing that for three years now - ever since I touched the wall in Rio I knew I could go faster. I said I wasn’t going to chase 56, I was going to let it come to me, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. I’ve used all the team around me and have some great support staff at British Swimming, so a massive, massive thanks to them, especially Mel who’s been there for 10 years, so it’s a very special journey that we’ve had.”
With the new world record under his belt, 24 hours later Peaty clinched gold in the final to claim his third world title in a row.
Alongside fellow Loughborough swimmer James Wilby they delivered a stunning British one-two, Peaty winning in 57.14 and Wilby second in a 58.46 lifetime best, which also makes him the third fast
est man in history.
Peaty said: “This is still very special to me, winning a World Championship title and faster than I’ve ever done it before. It’s obviously a little bit slower than last night as I made a tiny little error with speed on the first 50, but I think the most important thing going into next year is that I’m still learning about myself; it’s not like I’ve gone 56 and I’ve got no more learning to do. I’m ecstatic to come away with a world title.
Asked about the British one-two, Peaty added: “It’s not just a British one-two but a Loughborough onetwo! We’re training partners, well he trains in a different group, but we train in the same centre, and I’m stoked for him. It’s looking like Britain is a stronghold for breaststroke and it has been for a long time now.”
After winning his first global medal, Wilby said: “I’m really happy. After the Commonwealths and Europeans last year this was always the next major international and the one last stepping stone towards Tokyo, so I’m really happy to get that silver medal and a Britain one-two means an awful lot to us as well. I’m buzzing for the 200 as well, because I focus on them both and that 100 makes me excited to see what I can do in the 200 now.”
Another Loughborough swimmer Molly Renshaw outdid herself in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke semifinals, smashing her lifetime best, coming fourth in the second semi with a 1.06.73 swim. That was her second PB of the day after a 1.07.43 time in qualifying.
She said: “I came here with the 100 being my secondary event and just a setup for the 200, so now to be in the final I’m a bit overwhelmed – I’m over the moon.”
In the final on Tuesday she finished seventh in a time of 1.06.96 with USA’s Molly King taking gold.