BUDAPEST: Adam Peaty blasted his way into the men’s 50m breaststroke semifinals on Tuesday by lowering his own world-record to shake up the morning heats at the world aquatic championships.
The 22-year-old clocked 26.10 seconds, lowering his own mark of 26.42 set at the world champs in Kazan two years ago. “I wasn’t going for a world record, I was just trying to qualify for the semis,” said Peaty, who says he can go even faster. “That world record was two years old, so it was kind of due another push on.
“Last night gave me the confidence as I was out on 26.50 (for the first 50m). I wanted to get that best lane for the semi, we’ll push it on for the final,” he said.
It is the second world-record to fall at the world championships in Budapest after Sarah Sjostrom swam the 100m freestyle in 51.71secs on Sunday. Peaty’s main rival in Wednesday’s final looks to be Cameron van der Burgh, who was only 0.44secs behind in the heats.
Ledecky cruises
Following Peaty’s exploits, Katie Ledecky of the United States cruised into the women’s 200m freestyle semifinals.
She was the second fastest qualifier behind Italy’s Frederic Pellegrini who clocked 1:56.07.
Australia’s Emma McKeon, who won silver in the women’s 100m butterfly on Monday, and Katinka Hosszu, who won the women’s 200m IM gold, were just behind.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night, then I missed my bus getting here this morning,” revealed McKeon.
“It wasn’t really a rush, I was probably a bit too relaxed, I just got the next one.”
The 20-year-old Ledecky, who has already picked up 400m and 4x100m freestyle gold medals in Budapest, will race in the women’s 1,500m freestyle final on Tuesday.
Ledecky can make history with a 12th worlds gold medal of her career and become the most decorated female swimmer in championships history. “It’s just taking it one step at a time, kinda waiting out the day,” said Ledecky, who won her heat.
Sun’s battle royal
Sun Yang, who has won the men’s 800m freestyle for the last three world championships, had a battle royal in his heat for Wednesday’s final.
He was pushed all the way by Italy’s Gabriele Detti and just won the heat.
Italy’ Gregorio Paltrinieri was quickest at 7:45.31 with Sun 3.97secs back as the fifth fastest.
Local favourite Laszlo Cseh of Hungary was the fastest qualifier into the men’s 200m butterfly semifinals on Tuesday night. — AFP
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