The current and former world record holder in the 100m breaststroke, Adam Peaty and Cameron Van Der Burgh, will be facing off Monday night in the 100m breaststroke final.
After the semifinals Peaty and Van Der Burgh took the top two seeds with both of them going under Peaty’s championship record of 58.52 that he set in prelims. Van Der Burgh was a 58.49, Peaty was a 58.18.
That time for Peaty is the second fastest performance ever behind his 57.92 world record. Van Der Burgh’s swim is the fourth fastest performance ever in the 100m breaststroke, and the fastest he’s been since winning Olympic gold at the 2012 games with a 58.46 world record.
“It’s been a good year for me without any injuries now and I was able to prepare this season well,” said Van Der Burgh. “I look forward to the challenge.”
Peaty of Great Britain is the huge favorite to win the race Monday night after breaking Van Der Burgh’s 2012 world record this past April in order to become the first man ever under 58-seconds in the 100m breaststroke.
With Van Der Burgh not as far away as some might have thought in the semifinals, Peaty is up to race the South African.
“It’s nice to have a lot of competition,” said Peaty. “It’s good for the sport. Good for the stroke really.”
Although their personal bests are separated by over half a second, Van Der Burgh believes he will be right there in the mix with Peaty.
“I think it will be close,” Said Van Der Burgh. “I think Adam is a tough fighter, he’s a really talented kid, so it will be a really good final.”
Adam Peaty agreed saying,”it’s going to be an interesting one”
Maybe the refs will finally catch CVDB and dq him for an extra kick or two. It is one thing to do it before the break outs off of the start and turn, but is another to be so blatant about it at the finish.
They showed a lot of underwater footage of him yesterday, and it all looked pretty clean.
If Peaty ‘hits’ his start/breakout, he’ll win, he is far faster in the actual stroke. If he misses, the door is open for Cameron. Whoever win, it’ll be deserved, unless Cameron pops in an extra kick or two 😉
In all seriousness, a great race is in store.
VDB- 57.90
Peaty- 58.05
I think peaty was holding back a little in the semis. Usually his face turns burgundy towards the end of the race but it was only slightly red in the semis. I’m expecting a new wr.
Never has Breaststroke been so exciting!!
I guess your too young for the Hansen/ Kitajima era…
Clearly too young to remember the Moorhouse, Victor Davis, Lunk era….