Adam Peaty stretched every sinew to snatch gold in the 100m breaststroke as British history repeated itself at the world championships. The 20-year-old overhauled Cameron van der Burgh only on the final stroke to edge out the Olympic champion by 0.07 in 58.52sec, thereby becoming the first British man since David Wilkie, 40 years ago, to win the world title in the event.
Joining Peaty on the rostrum was his fellow Briton, Ross Murdoch, who swam to third just as Wilkie’s team-mate David Leigh had claimed bronze behind him in Cali, Colombia, in 1975.
Rounding out the British medal charge on day two in Russia was Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, who was third in the 200m individual medley.
On Sunday Van der Burgh and Peaty had traded championship records like boxers trading blows, first the South African and then the City of Derby swimmer, Peaty’s time of 58.18 in the semi-final the second fastest in history. Van der Burgh already has seven world medals but no 100m gold but it appeared he was on course to change all that when he stormed up the first length in 26.79 with Peaty half a body length adrift at the turn. However, the Uttoxeter swimmer moved steadily closer, clawing his way through the water before edging out Van der Burgh at the touch.
Murdoch had only just scraped into the final but he slapped the water in celebration when he saw the result, lowering his own Scottish record to 59.09.
When asked how he had managed to claw his way to victory, Peaty said: “I’m not quite sure, I don’t even know what time I was out in. I turned and saw his feet and I was like: ‘Right, I’ve got some catching up to do now.’ Twenty-five metres out he was still in front so I was a bit sceptical but I remembered what I had trained for was moments like this and I came out on top thankfully.
“It wasn’t the time I expected to do and it wasn’t the time I wanted to do but world championship finals and Olympic finals are going to be for the win and I did bring it home tonight.”
Peaty now holds the world, European and Commonwealth titles – as well as the world record. Beaming, he said: “There is only one more on that tick box but that is a problem for next year so hopefully next year I’ll be used to this: heats you have to be 110% on your game, semi-finals 120% and final you’ve got to be even better.”
Peaty’s life changed when he walked through the doors of the City of Derby club in January 2009 where he was met by Mel Marshall, the former world, Commonwealth and European medallist turned coach.
A self-confessed “right little nuisance” at the time, it was a pivotal moment in the lives of both.
Looking back, Peaty said: “There’s been a massive amount of change. World record holder, world champion now, it’s kind of crazy.
“It still hasn’t sunk that I have just won that, I think it’s all the adrenalin from that back end.
“If you had asked me six years ago I would have said no way, I was close to quitting back then because I didn’t really like it so thankfully I put in enough work this year to bring that win.”
Murdoch is better known as a 200m swimmer, notably claiming the Commonwealth title last year in Glasgow ahead of the Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson. However, a virus disrupted his preparations for the season and he and coach Ben Higson at the University of Stirling turned their attention to the 100m for a speed-focused year once they realised the 200m may not go to plan.
It proved to be a good decision, Murdoch appearing completely startled by his achievement. “I am really pleased to come away with a medal in this event We’ve been racing each other since European juniors in 2012. It is just fantastic to share the podium with such a top lad.”Adding to the British medal haul was O’Connor who held on to third on the gruelling final freestyle leg, touching in 2mins 08.77secs, 0.22 ahead of American Maya Di Rado in fourth with Hannah Miley fifth. Despite being only 19, Kazan is O’Connor’s third World Championships and she fulfilled her goal.
“I am really happy with bronze,” she said.
“I just wanted to come here and win a medal so I am really chuffed to come away with one.
“That last leg was really hard but I just tried to dig deep and hold on.”
