Adam Peaty Demolishes 100 Breast World Record In Prelims

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

In the final heat of the men’s 100 breaststroke, Great Britain’s Adam Peaty blew away the field, crushing his previous world record of 57.92 down to a blistering 57.55. He was out fast; 26.69 at the 50, the fastest he’s ever gone out, and back fast; 30.86 coming home for his fastest ever opening and closing 50s put together into one magical swim. It was evident he had improved his start, as opposed to last years World Championships where he emerged from the dive with a deficit, he quickly moved into the lead early on in the race and never looked back. His time of 57.92 was done at the 2015 British Nationals. He was unable to match that last summer, going 58.18 in the semi-finals of the World Championships and ultimately winning the gold in 58.52. He won the European Championships this past May in 58.36 Here’s a comparative look at his splits:

  • 2015 British Championships: 27.04 (30.88), 57.92
  • 2015 World Championships: 27.21 (30.97), 58.18 (Semi-final swim)
  • 2016 European Championships: 27.21 (31.15), 58.36
  • 2016 Olympic Games: 26.69 (30.86), 57.55 (Prelim swim) WR

Peaty obviously easily qualified 1st, followed by Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki (58.91), Brazil’s Felipe Franca (59.01) and the US’ Kevin Cordes (59.13).

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Henry
7 years ago

Very suspicious. He’s probably doping. Everyone knows British people aren’t athletic. Just look at their football team.

Billabong
7 years ago

Peaty is so far ahead of the rest, he has turned the Olympics into a masterclass. He brings team GB into meadley relay contention with a swim like that.

Track
7 years ago

For anyone that actually watched the race the reason he got the record was obvious. Peaty has cleaned up his start and his pullout, which for him equaled a WR. I hope he goes for the 50 breast record tonight, he will qualify for the final barring a disaster, so why not go for it.

Abbott
Reply to  Track
7 years ago

the splits agree with you

Kordez
7 years ago

Lets make breastroke fast again

Onehandtouch
Reply to  Kordez
7 years ago

Clever.

CROOKED HILLARY
Reply to  Kordez
7 years ago

Something about that just doesn’t sit well with me.

He Gets It Done Again
7 years ago

In the other three strokes, the WR in LCM has not been broken since 2009. In breaststroke, it’s now more than a full second faster than it was in 2009. In fact, Peaty is almost a second faster than Van Der Burgh’s WR from just four years ago, a time that still puts Van Der Burgh as the #2 performer ever. Wow.

Track
7 years ago

I think in the semis tonight he goes for the 50 breast WR, he can qualify no problem and can rebreak the 100 record in the final

Gina
7 years ago

What an incredible swim. I’m so greatful that we get to watch it all on BBC with no interuptions.

Is it true that NBC don’t do this and have not shown some swimming live? This is crazy at the Olympics!

Kordez
Reply to  Gina
7 years ago

They show an hour of biking for every 10 minutes of non live swimming

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Gina
7 years ago

I record most Races on the BBC channel – they are the best at covering the Olympics as far as i know

tea rex
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
7 years ago

Is there a legal way for you to share those races? Youtube?

NBC pays a gazillion dollars for the rights, so it’s understandable they want to make that money back by showing 70% commercials. But still, it stinks.

Reid
Reply to  Gina
7 years ago

They showed all of the circle seeded heats live until the breaststroke because the cycling was ending. Not unreasonable to delay a prelim for a medal round.

Seriously
Reply to  Gina
7 years ago

To be fair if you use their stream you can see literally any sport and nothing is skipped.

Murica
7 years ago

After several more watches, I’ve arrived at a few conclusions.

1. Peaty has a 56 in him. He can have more explosiveness and hip undulation on the second 50 especially. If he is conditioned to hold the sprint that he has coming into the 50 wall, we could see 56 high.

2. I think we are going to be seeing more swimmers have success pulling off faster than usual prelim swims. I think swimmers are proving that they have the athleticism and stamina to pull it off, and I’m pretty sure it makes sense to condition your body to get used to the pain of your event, so that by the 3rd race you subconsciously know what to expect. … Read more »

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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