The prelims were all about Great Britain’s loaded 200 breaststroking corps, but backstroker Chris Walker-Hebborn stole the show in the final with the world’s best 100 back time.
The 24-year-old Walker-Hebborn, who won gold at both the Commonwealth Games and the European Champs last summer, crushed a 52.88 to win the 100 back by more than a second. That vaults him past Japan’s Ryosuke Irie for the world lead – those men are the only two to break 53 so far this year. Only three men went 52 in all of 2014 combined.
2014-2015 LCM Men 100 Back
MURPHY
52.18*relay
| 2 | Mitchell LARKIN | AUS | 52.37*relay | 08/09 |
| 3 | Camille LACOURT | FRA | 52.48 | 08/04 |
| 4 | Matt GREVERS | USA | 52.66 | 08/04 |
| 5 | Jiayu XU | CHN | 52.74*relay | 08/04 |
The aforementioned 200 breast was the night’s closing event, and provided its own fireworks. Rising star Adam Peaty came through with a big win over a tough field, going 2:08.34. Peaty is coming off a breakout summer, though his success last year came much more in the 50- and 100-meter distances. This race proves that Peaty is a force to be reckoned with in all three breaststroking distances, though, as his time sits second in the world.
2014-2015 LCM Men 200 Breast
KOCH
2.07.76
| 2 | Yasuhiro KOSEKI | JPN | 2.07.77 | 04/11 |
| 3 | Kevin CORDES | USA | 2.08.05 | 08/07 |
| 4 | Daniel GYURTA | HUN | 2.08.10 | 08/07 |
| 5 | Adam PEATY | GBR | 2.08.34 | 04/14 |
Andrew Willis was second in 2:08.59, and Ross Murdoch third in 2:08.90. All three men now rank within the world’s top four for the year.
The other top-5 world time came in the other men’s event, the 400 free. In that race, James Guy went 3:44.16, and moves from 5th to 2nd in the world ranks. Second-place Nicholas Grainger was 3:45.89, the 5th-best time in the world.
2014-2015 LCM Men 400 Free
YANG
3.42.58
| 2 | Mack HORTON | AUS | 3.42.84 | 04/03 |
| 3 | James GUY | GBR | 3.43.75 | 08/02 |
| 4 | David McKEON | AUS | 3.44.28 | 04/03 |
| 5 | Ryan COCHRANE | CAN | 3.44.59 | 08/02 |
In the women’s 100 free, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor outlasted Francesca Halsall 53.83 to 54.10 for the win. Meanwhile, Hannah Miley overcame top-seeded Jemma Lowe to win the 200 fly in 2:08.63.
Peaty has just gone 57.92!!
Grevers swam a 52.7 in an outdoor pool last summer in poor conditions. He has already gone 53 low without taper this year. Murphy was 53 low last summer and this spring had record breaking swims at the NCAAs. Barring injury or illness I saw both doing low 52s. As far as peaty going sub 58 off a flat start that is as ridiculous as some one breaking MPs fly records this and next summer !
What logic are you applying? A 19 year old with awful technical skills swimming 58.6 and it is “ridiculous” to think he can go 57.9? As ridiculous as somebody breaking a record nobody (other than MP) has come within 1.5s of since 2009?
You need a sleep mate!
The punishment that Phelps received from the justice system is completely separate from the misguided and peremptory punishment handed out by US Swimming. Phelps has every right to change his mind. The double punishment was beyond stupid in the first place. When the decision is reversed, the officials involved should resign on the grounds of stupidity.
Last year British swimming posted all finals’ sessions on youtube. Nothing so far for this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0trZh3eVgw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzRRlSsOJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0uYygP6Hwc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNN49T11vDs