Tokyo 2020 - Adam Peaty dominates to qualify for men's 100m breaststroke final, James Wilby also through

ByEurosport

Updated 25/07/2021 at 05:59 GMT

It was a fast first 50m from Adam Peaty, just two hundredths of a second off his own world record pace, but he just throttled back a touch down the second length, gliding into the wall for a very comfortable 57.56 which booked his place in the final. Peaty is bidding to win his second Olympic gold medal having won the 100 metre breaststroke at Rio 2016.

Adam Peaty is through to the final of the men's 100m breaststroke after an emphatic performance at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Sunday.

In lane number four, Peaty, who shaved off his moustache, was not quickest off the block but he dominated the field and pulled away from the rest and finished with a time of 57.63.

China's Yan Zibei finished some way back in second (58.72) and USA's Michael Andrew, who started fastest, came third (58.99).

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"It was a little bit better, more controlled," Peaty said after the race.

'Tomorrow is what counts' - Peaty on reaching final

"Medals aren't won in the heats or the semi-finals. Everyone has been so welcoming here. These are the Olympic Games - the greatest show on earth - so obviously we want to show a mutual respect.

Olympics is always about racing. I'm the best racer in the world, I think, so I'm looking forward to it. I wanted to be a little bit quicker this morning but hey ho, it's a morning swim.

Team GB's James Wilby finished third in the other men's 100m breaststroke semi-final with a time of 59.00 seconds, qualifying him for the final with a sixth-placed finish overall. Netherlands' Arno Kamminga came first (58.19) and Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi second (58.28).

Max Litchfield, who came fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the men's 400m individual medley, was aiming for gold in the same event on Sunday, but he finished agonisingly close to a medal placed finish in joint fourth with Hungary's David Verraszto on 4:10.59. USA's Chase Kalisz took gold (4:09.42), compatriot Jay Litherland took second (4:10.28) and Australia's Brendon Smith took bronze (4:10.38).

Australia broke the world record in the 4x100m freestyle relay final, finishing in a time of 3:29.69 to surpass the record of 3:30.05. Canada came second (3.32.78) and USA closely behind in third (3:32.81).

Britain's quartet of Freya Anderson, Abbie Wood, Anna Hopkin and Lucy Hope finished in fifth (3:33.96) which is a new national record.

In the women's 400m individual medley, GB's Aimee Willmott finished seventh in a time of 4:38.30. Japan's Ohashi Yui took gold with a time of 4:32.08 with USA duo Emma Weyant (4:32.76) and Hali Flickinger (4:34.90) taking silver and gold respectively.

There was a real upset in the men's 400m freestyle final as 18-year-old Ahmed Hafnaoui took gold with a time of 3:43.36. Australia's Jack McLoughlin claimed silver (3:43.52) and Kieran Smith from USA finished in bronze position (3:43.94).

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