Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Peaty roars back with record
ADAM PEATY smashed his own 100metres breaststroke world record as he won gold at the European Championships.
The 23-year-old set a time of 57.0sec in Glasgow, knocking 0.13 off his previous best as he enhanced his reputation as one of the world’s most dominant swimmers.
It is the fourth time Peaty has set a new mark for the discipline in which he has been unbeaten for four years.
“It’s incredible. I wasn’t targeting the record at all,” said the Olympic champion after winning his ninth European long course title.
“When I entered the pool, I felt the passion and the flow. When I touched the wall, I didn’t see the time properly and needed some moments to realise but once I got it, it was an amazing feeling.
“I’m so humbled from the support. It’s been a journey over the last few years and to end it in this pool is incredible.
“After the heats yesterday I knew I was in good shape. After the semi I was back in the 58s but it just shows what you can do if you have a positive mental attitude.
“The plan was to make a statement, to consolidate that statement and then do what you do in the final.”
Peaty had threatened a good time after two brilliant swims in Friday’s heats and semi-final and though he touched at halfway in the final in 26.65 seconds, it still looked as if the record would be out of reach.
After touching the wall, he shouted in disbelief: “No way!”
Silver medallist, Team GB’s James Wilby, was
1.54 secs adrift. Peaty added: “I don’t just want to win – I want to dominate.
“That’s not an arrogant side, it’s just the competitive side in me. I wasn’t going out there to break the world record, but when I got to 50m I thought: ‘This is so easy’.
“Then I came back and all the passion and emotion of the letdown of the Commonwealths [when beaten in the 50m breaststroke] fuelled that.” part of the reason for me coming back to England permanently.
“She’s getting on well – and she’s finished the course of radiotherapy.”
Adams is expected to fight in Leicester on October 6, only her fifth professional fight.
She added: “To win a title for my mother would be a dream come true.”