OLYMPIC champion Adam Peaty sent out an ominous warning to any of his would-be challengers, saying he has plenty more to give in tonight’s 100 metres breaststroke final at the World Championships in Budapest.
The 22-year-old Uttoxeter swimmer clocked a championship record in qualifying fastest from yesterday’s semi-finals and appeared to be slowing down in the closing metres.
Peaty’s desire remains strong after his Rio win – the first of Great Britain’s gold medals in last August’s Olympics – and his long-term goal is “Project 56”, clocking under 57 seconds, and another gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
His 57.75 seconds semi-final swim yesterday gives him the 10 fastest times in history, but a wry smile betrayed confidence that he is in fine form.
“Yes, I probably could’ve got out a little bit more, but you don’t really want to empty the tank,” Peaty said.
“There’s always room to step up again and that’s what makes a 57.7 a 57.1. Whether we get that tomorrow, I don’t know. Whether in three years a 56. We don’t know.
“It’s a weird one. I feel so good down the first 50, but it’s a little bit different down the back 50 for me.
“Rio was the Olympics, a different motive to this. It’s just building it back up and seeing what we get.”
Peaty was 0.93secs clear of his rivals in yesterday morning’s heat, clocking 58.21, and his world record of 57.13, set in winning Olympic gold in Rio, could be in his sights.
A passionate crowd at the Duna Arena by the banks of the Danube cheered on the Hungarian swimmers and Peaty is thriving in the environment, describing it as “home”.
He added: “Rio and Kazan before that I was quite nervous. It’s a completely different environment to what it is now.
“I’m ready for this environment, this is my home. I love to race with the crowd and it’s such an amazing venue. Tomorrow I’m going to get myself up for it really good.
“There I was just going through the motions, getting out a 57.7.”
Peaty’s nearest challenger was American Kevin Cordes, who qualified for the final in 58.64, 0.89 adrift of the Briton.
Scot Ross Murdoch advanced to the final in seventh place, in 59.23.
James Guy was the only Briton in a final on the opening night, finishing sixth in the 400m freestyle as China’s Sun Yang won a third straight gold in the event.
Guy is now focused on today’s defence of his 200m title.
Meanwhile, Ben Proud qualified for tonight’s 50m butterfly final after he came in fourth place.
Siobhan O’Connor, the Olympic silver medallist, qualified for the 200m individual medley final in fourth place. Hannah Miley is first reserve for the final.
Alys Thomas, the 26-year-old World Championships debutant, missed out on a place in the 100m butterfly final, placing 12th.
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