Peaty wins breaststroke gold, targets ‘low 56’ for 2020

GWANGJU, (S Korea), July 22 

Adam Peaty collected his third straight 100 metres breaststroke world title today but such is the Briton’s dominance in the event that he had to remind himself to enjoy the moment despite not breaking the world record.

A night earlier Peaty had become the first swimmer to go under the ‘Magic 57’ mark by posting a world record 56.88 in the semifinals and while the Briton was on course to set another new mark at the halfway point, he faded on the home stretch.

Peaty, unbeaten in the event at major championships over the last five years, finished in a time of 57.14 — more than a second ahead of compatriot James Wilby (58.46) and bronze medallist Yan Zibei (58.63) of China.

“That constant expectation I put upon myself is a little bit disappointed in me, but I think that will fuel me for next year because I know how bad I want to go low 56, even faster now, and I know exactly how to do it,” said the 24-year-old.

“Obviously run out of opportunities here but yeah, just enjoy it — enjoy the moment.” Peaty, who still has the 50 breaststroke to come in Gwangju, said he would learn a lot from the performance going into next year’s Tokyo Olympics, where he will defend his Rio title.

“This is still very special to me, winning a World Championships title and faster than I’ve ever done it before,” he added.

“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.” 

Protesting Horton praised 

Mack Horton received a round of applause from fellow swimmers at the world championships after refusing to share the podium with China’s Sun Yang, American breaststroker Lily King said. 

Sun, who previously served a doping sanction in 2014 and was labelled a “drug cheat” by Horton before the Rio Olympics final, was given the green light to compete in Gwangju after being cleared by a FINA panel of breaching the governing body’s rules earlier this year. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency is seeking to overturn the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving Sun’s career hanging in the balance a year out from the Tokyo Olympics. After finishing runner-up to Sun in the 400 freestyle on Sunday, Olympic champion Horton took his silver medal and then stood behind the podium while his Chinese rival and bronze medallist Gabriele Detti shared the spotlight. 

While the move drew criticism from some quarters of the media, and outrage from Chinese swimming fans, King said the Australian had full support from his peers. “We were waiting around for the awards ceremony just to see what was going to happen,” said King. “It was awesome. When we walked into the dining hall he walked in after us and the whole dining hall erupted into applause. 

“It was pretty good to see the athletes united on his stance and supporting him as well.” 

King said swimmers were annoyed that doping continues to cast a shadow over their sport, and that if they were not going to receive the proper protection from the governing body they would have to look out for each other. “I don’t think anyone at FINA is going to stand up for the athletes so the athletes have to stand up for themselves,” she said. “I think it is definitely a start.” Australia’s Mitch Larkin was “super proud” of his team mate and said the whole squad backed him. “I think 99% of (other) athletes around the pool deck back him, so he’s not really standing alone,” he added. “What he did was certainly brave and gutsy and I have a lot of respect for him for doing that.” 

Larkin said it was difficult to be entirely confident that swimming was clean. 

“You’ve got to trust the authorities but with what’s going on in sport these days it’s hard to be 100% sure,” he said.  American Matt Grevers said that while Horton could be punished by FINA the Australian was well aware of the potential consequences.  — AFP

Italian does three heats after start disrupted 

Gwangju: An Italian swimmer was forced to make three attempts to complete a World Championships backstroke heat after a string of malfunctions with the starting equipment. Simone Sabbioni, a national record-holder, slipped at the start when his wedge, the angled block swimmers use to push off, gave way, causing him to come to an abrupt halt as his rivals splashed down the pool. Sabbioni, 22, was told he could race again— this time alone — but the device failed for a second time, submerging him again. “It’s just unbelievable this kind of thing can happen at the World Championships,” he said. Sabbioni — who eventually got away cleanly at the third attempt — squeezed into one of the last qualifying spots with a time of 53.85 seconds, spurred on by a roaring crowd. “I’m happy because I got through to the semifinals but it really wasn’t easy in these kind of conditions,” he said. Sabbioni wasn’t the only athlete to encounter problems at the starting line. Minutes earlier, Dylan Carter of Trinidad and Tobago also suffered issues with his block and, after a protest by his coach, was granted the same opportunity for a second lonely swim. AFP