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Briton Peaty betters 100M breaststroke world record
RIO DE JANEIRO: Britain’s Adam Peaty broke his own world record for the second time in two days as he blasted to Olympic gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke on Sunday.
RIO DE JANEIRO: Britain’s Adam Peaty broke his own world record for the second time in two days as he blasted to Olympic gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke on Sunday.
The 21-year-old world champion touched the wall in a time of 57.13 seconds, smashing the mark of 57.55 he set in the Rio heats on Saturday’s opening day of competition.
Peaty, who was scared of water as a child, became the first British man to win Olympic swimming gold since Adrian Moorhouse’s victory in the same event at the 1988 Seoul Games.
South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh, the defending Olympic champion took silver behind Peaty in 58.69 and American Cody Miller the bronze in 58.87.
But Peaty was never seriously threatened, despite an ordinary start, and the Briton celebrated by letting out a roar of delight after breaking the lengthy Olympic title drought for British male swimmers.
CARLIN REWARDED AFTER LONG HIATUS
Britain’s Jazz Carlin considered turning her back on swimming after missing out on her home London Games but perseverance paid off in the Rio pool.
Winning 400 metres freestyle silver behind Katie Ledecky ranks as good as gold given the gulf between the US teenager and the rest, and Carlin certainly felt she had given it her best shot. Speaking to reporters in the early hours after Sunday’s late night programme timed for US television audiences, Carlin reflected on the race of her life and also a far greater distance travelled.
‘‘Four years ago I was sat in the stand cheering Team GB on but now I’m actually part of the team and to come away with a silver medal is absolutely amazing,’’ said the 25-year-old.
