Peaty surpassed his previous world record by 0.37 of a second in qualifying with a 57.55 second win, followed by a 57.62 second swim in the semis.
Advertisement
This means Peaty now has the full set – he is a world champion, European champion, Commonwealth champion, world record holder and now an Olympic gold champion.
He was hot favourite to become only the fourth British male swimmer to strike Olympic gold in 40 years going into the final early tomorrow and Sweetenham believes Rio could mark the start of sustained success for Team GB.
Guy, the 200 metres freestyle world champion, recalled on Sunday what he told Peaty before the 21-year-old Briton ripped up his own 100 metres breaststroke world record on his Games debut on Saturday.
Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa, the London 2012 gold medallist, was second in 58.69s and Cody Miller of the United States third in 58.87s.
Adam Peaty of Great Britain dominated the 100-meter breaststroke final to win gold. Having said that, James Guy swam a pretty good game, especially for the first 200m. There are defending things I know I can work on.
Boats were being blown off course and swamped in choppy waters during practice earlier on Sunday, and after repeated delays World Rowing announced that racing was being called off.
Team GB is still waiting for its first medal at the Rio Olympics after a disappointing first day for British competitors. No one can describe what an Olympics is like until you’ve been there. Ten months after he was in an induced coma after a fall, he remains in the eventing gold medal position after the completion of the dressage, with the cross-country and showjumping disciplines to come.
The City of Derby swimmer’s 57.55 in the heats broke his record of 57.98.
He was shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2014 and 2015.
Mavis has been following her grandson’s exploits in the pool from her home in Staffordshire and has also been showing her enthusiasm on Twitter.
Peaty, who has a reputation for staying calm before races, says he will get set for his first Olympic final by sleeping in late. “It’s nothing. I know what to do'”. I have got used to seeing Adam’s face on TV now but it was unusual to see my parents on there.
“I think Adam Peaty, and please don’t leave out his coach Melanie Marshall, will place a confidence in the young people and especially the coaches that it is possible. I’ve loved every minute of it”.
Advertisement
He completed the first 50m in 26.61, 0.08 under world record pace and a blistering second length saw him enhance his advantage.
