Why Adam Peaty Is Such A Good Closer In The 100 BR – And How He Keeps Improving

During last week’s British Swimming Selection Trials, Adam Peaty had his job done on the first day. He set an impressive 57.70 in the heats, and clocked an even more impressive time 57.39 in the final, the fifth and 10th-fastest performances of all-time. With these two swims, he has now swum the 20-fastest times on record in the event, 15 of those being sub-58 swims.

And perhaps equally impressive is the fact that Peaty managed again to register sub-31 back-half splits: 30.83 in the heats, 30.70 during the final. Instagram’s Swimming Stats page has published the fastest back-half splits in history of the men’s 100 breaststroke, seen below. Peaty’s 30.70 from last week checks in as the 10th-fastest in history, and he now owns six of the 10 fastest ever.

It’s not easy an easy thing coming home sub-31 – few swimmers have done it. Usually, swimmers who come home the fastest are those who are great 200 breast swimmers, like Kosuke Kitajima, Daniel Gyurta, and, more recently, Anton Chupkov and Arno Kamminga. They don’t have as much speed on the front half, but they are able to pull away at the end with very strong closing meters.

Peaty, however, is an entirely different beast. He manages to be the fastest man in the first 50 meters AND on the second 50. In fact, he is the only active swimmer who has managed to have a sub-27 opening 50 and a sub-31 back-half.

When Peaty broke the 100 breast world record at the 2019 World Championships, his time in the first 50 meters was a very strong 26.63 – a time that only Peaty himself went faster than in the 50 breaststroke event. After such an impressive opening split, most swimmers would die on the second half, but not Peaty. In fact, he registered the fastest back-half ever: 30.25.

It’s interesting noting that, in the last three times he broke the world record, he registered the three fastest back-half splits ever.

And it’s also interesting seeing how his stroke and efficiency is changing over the years. He has been known for his insanely high stroke-count. He takes more strokes than anyone in the pool without losing efficiency and without wearing out.

But the stroke count is not as high as it used to be a few years ago, at least during the second 50.

When we won the 100 breast at the 2015 World Championships, his stroke count on the back-half was 27. When he broke world records at the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 European Championships, this count was 25. And, finally, at the 2019 World Championships and the 2021 British Olympic Trials, he came home in 23 strokes.

Undoubtedly he is improving his efficiency per stroke in the last 50 meters, something every swimmer aims to achieve. And he continues to improve his times. Will we see him complete the second half of the 100 breast in an unbelievable sub-30-second in Tokyo? We’ll have to wait and see. The show must go on.

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BFratus
2 years ago

Because “work works”, specially under Coach Mel Marshal.
I did a single workout with them back in 2019 and it was enough to show me why he is so dominant, mindblowing!

Owlmundo
2 years ago

Cause he grinds like the beast he is.

Wanna beat the best gotta do what none of rest are willing to do.

Khachaturian
2 years ago

Why is he so fast? Dean Farris gave birth to him obviously!

MX4x50relay
Reply to  Khachaturian
2 years ago

You did not just—- I can’t/-

ACC
2 years ago

This is interesting, but I don’t know if I’d consider someone with a 4 second differential between their first and second 50 a “good closer” exactly.

Compare his split differential to Chupkov. Chupkov was out in a 28.6, back in a 30.5. That’s an increase of about 7%. Peaty, on his best closing split was out in 26.6 and back in 30.2 for an increase of 14%. His closing split was faster, but clearly Chupkov is the better closer.

Prettykitten
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

I don’t think they are talking about the difference between the 50’s what makes him a “good closer” is that He can beat guys like Chupkov by 2 seconds on the front end and be faster on the back end after.

Anonymoose
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

i disagree.
by this logic someone who would split their 100 breast in 34.0 first 50 into a 33.5 second 50 would be a better closer than chupkov.
which is not true ofc

Dudeman
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

Except Peaty is still faster on the second 50… which is literally finishing his race faster and that’s all that matters. Splitting is important sure, but not when your splits are slower than the guy winning

NJones
Reply to  ACC
2 years ago

I can amazingly negative split my 100 breast, I go out in 55 and back in 52/51. Therefore I am also a better closer than Peaty…

SWIMPOP
Reply to  NJones
2 years ago

Can’t argue with math.

Thomas Selig
2 years ago

“In fact, he is the only active swimmer who has managed to have a sub-27 opening 50 and a sub-31 back-half.” Given he’s the only swimmer to have ever gone sub-58, this is perhaps not surprising 😉

Interesting analysis regarding the number of strokes. How does it compare to his competitors? Or to someone like King or Pilato on the women’s side (perhaps the closest to Peaty stroke-wise)? He also looks to have improved his start and turn, which would naturally translate into fewer strokes over the rest of the length…

As for Tokyo… If we look at 2016-17 for comparison, he dropped 1 second or more from trials to Olympics/Worlds. Obviously it doesn’t always work that way, but his… Read more »

He said what?
Reply to  Thomas Selig
2 years ago

I hope so. I love watching his races.

Sapnu puas
2 years ago

I read this as “why adam peaty is such a god…” at first and honestly just thought that was fair and accurate

Sun Yangs Hammer
2 years ago

Fun Fact: Swimming Stats page is actually an AI running off Coleman’s brain

Swim nerd
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
2 years ago

Best swimming page on insta by a mile

PVSFree
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
2 years ago

I love Coleman so much, it’s rare to see someone with that much passion and drive for their job. It’s clear he’s doing what he loves. This comment has a lot of Facebook mom energy but just want to let Coleman know he’s appreciated

There's no doubt that he's tightening up
2 years ago

Would be really interesting to see the same list for the 100 free.

As far as I’m aware, Phelps’ 24.20 to close his 47.51 leading off the legendary 2008 relay is the quickest. Faster than anything Chalmers did, faster than Lezak/Scott closed in their monster splits too.

Lopez

Minakov 24.11

Mr Piano

Kolesnikov came back in a 24.17 a week ago in his 100 free prelim swim where he went 47.7 iirc

Dee

I think we’ll get a 23. backhalf in the next Olympic cycle – They way these kids are splitting the race now is crazy. When I think of the top young sprint prospects; Minakov, Kolesnikov, Richards, Whittle, Southam, Popovici etc… They all backhalf it really strongly. I know it’s harder for them to get out fast at their age, but have we ever had a generation of teens who are coming come way under 25s?

Gheko

Yeah and Sullivan beat him to the wall