James Guy Lowers British 100 Fly Record To 51.16

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Primarily a mid-distance freestyler, James Guy has been evolving as a butterflyer over the last few years as well. He swam on the medley relay for Great Britain last summer in Rio, winning silver, and even split 50.5 on the mixed medley relay earlier in the meet.

At day 6 prelims he lowered the 8-year-old British record in the 100 fly in a time of 51.16, chopping a quarter second off Michael Rock‘s 2009 mark of 51.41. His previous best stood at 51.50, set in May at the Japan Open.

Guy qualified 3rd overall for the semi-finals, and puts his name in the conversation for a medal. No one would have predicted it, but he was just 0.02 slower than the silver medal winning time in Rio. However, Caeleb Dressel, who took the top prelim spot, is a long way away at 50.08.

Guy’s fly improvements initially raised the notion that he could bring the Brits even with the Americans on the medley relay, especially with the advantage they have with Adam Peaty on breaststroke. However, Dressel’s surge in the 100 fly, plus GBR’s lack on backstroke, likely leaves them in the silver medal position once again.

Nonetheless Guys looks great, and could easily become the first Brit sub-51 in either the semis or the final.

In This Story

11
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

11 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jon Nap
7 years ago

What a Guy

KyB
7 years ago

I think Guy would be better to drop the 400 and focus on the 200 free and two fly events. He’s never going to get down to 3.41 to challenge on the 400

bobo gigi
Reply to  KyB
7 years ago

Maybe the British relay will regret that Guy swims that event. They have a golden opportunity tonight to beat an “average” American 4X200 free relay team. A fresher Guy could only help them.
Who for USA? Conger/Pieroni/Dwyer/Haas? Who for GB with Guy and Scott? Grainger and Milne?

bobo gigi
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Or Litchfield? Or Jarvis?

JM90
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

He is a world class athlete and a professional swimmer i am sure he can double the 100fly with a fantastic 200 free…

Proud
Reply to  JM90
7 years ago

he did indeed, beyond all expectations!!

Rafael
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Russia is just looking gbr and USA and might go for gold.

Richard Sports Assassin Stevens
7 years ago

Re Cleveland Walker Heb. ….did I hear Mark Foster mention a cold…!!? Or maybe he’s thawing out before serving up some special dish of a performance….

Richard Sports Assassin Stevens
7 years ago

Guy’s hungry, medalless as opposed to a curent medalliance, one of GB’several premier swimmers behind Peaty and in form. It’s just that the standard of his events are hot hot hot!! But stay in the kitchen James…don some mits & start cooking!!!

MichaelTran
7 years ago

I really want to see what CWH are doing???
Why he is hiding everyone??
Maybe he can surprise us with a 52?? :)))

MichaelTran
Reply to  MichaelTran
7 years ago

What CWH is doing??

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 …

Read More »