Saturday 18 April 2015

Adam Peaty sets breaststroke world record in London


Adam Peaty

Adam Peaty set a stunning 100m breaststroke world record on the penultimate night of the British Swimming Championships in London.
Peaty, 20, already held the 50m world record time and won European and Commonwealth titles during 2014.
He finished in 57.92 seconds, beating the previous mark of 58.46 set by South Africa's Cameron van der Burgh at the London 2012 Olympics.
"I kind of surprised myself," Peaty told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I was going to wait until Kazan [World Championships] to produce that time and I can't really believe it.
"I just dived in hoping for a 58 really and I have to say a big thank you to my family for supporting me."
Scotland's Ross Murdoch finished second in 59.13 secs with James Wilby third in one minute 0.31 secs.
Murdoch's time is a new Scottish record and automatically qualifies the 21-year-old for the World Championships later this year.
Lauren Quigley (left), Francesca Halsall (centre) and Rebecca Guy
Halsall (centre) claimed victory ahead of Lauren Quigley (left) and Rebecca Guy
Francesca Halsall, who was a surprise second in the 100m freestyle earlier in the week, claimed a comfortable victory in the 50m event.
England's Commonwealth and European champion secured her 10th British 50m freestyle crown in 24.37 secs, with Lauren Quigley (25.22) second and Rebecca Guy (25.49) third.
"To win 10 titles and be the best in Britain is fantastic," Halsall told BBC Sport.
"My preparation hasn't been great [due to a shoulder injury] but I'm quicker than I was at this time last year, so that's really good."
Scottish Commonwealth gold medallist Dan Wallace defeated England's Roberto Pavoni and Lewis Smith in the 400m individual medley.
However, his time of four minutes 12.78 secs was not quick enough to guarantee him a place in the World Championship team.
"I'm not where I or British Swimming would like me to be in terms of time at the moment," said Wallace.
"However, I usually get stronger as the season goes on, so hopefully the selectors will see that."
Ben Proud added 50m freestyle gold to the 50m butterfly title he won on Thursday.
The Plymouth-based swimmer touched in 21.99, to beat team mate Thomas Fannon (22.48) who was second and third-placed Andrew Weatheritt (22.50).
Sophie Taylor - the Commonwealth 100m breaststroke champion - won the British title in the same event for the second year running.
However, despite touching ahead of Sarah Vasey and Molly Renshaw, she finished in tears after missing out on the time to guarantee her place at the Worlds.
Loughborough-based Rachael Kelly successfully defended her British 100m butterfly title, beating Jemma Lowe and Siobhan-Marie O'Connor.
The British Championship is the first elite swimming event to be held at the London Aquatics Centre since the 2012 Olympics.