Adam Peaty isn't used to coming fourth, so he revelled in a 100m photo finish victory at the inaugural International Swimming League match in London.
The 24-year-old finished fourth in the 200m – an event firmly out of his comfort zone in short-course swimming – and narrowly missed out on 50m victory to Fabio Scozzoli on opening night.
But Peaty, in the midst of a heavy block of training and far from his competitive peak, dug deep to earn the victory the home fans came to see over four lengths.
“It's very tough when you’re expected to win every time you get in the pool,” said Peaty, long-course Olympic champion and world record holder in the 100m.
“I was on a bit of a downer after last night – I wanted to bring that victory for the fans. But that's sport, it's more fun when you've got that competition.
“The other guys brought the heat and I came away with fourth. I don't think I've finished fourth in about seven years!
“I knew I wasn't going to win the 50, but I knew if I got it together, I could do the 100 because that is my event.
“As Vin Diesel said – it doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning's winning and that’s what it’s all about.”
Peaty’s 56.18 secs clocking in the 100m was the best in the ISL this season by 0.1 secs and 0.24 secs off his own British record. He beat Belarus’ Ilya Shymanovich to the wall by 0.15 secs.
Duncan Scott took 200m individual medley victory on Sunday night to get a capacity crowd on their feet at the London 2012 venue.
On the opening night of racing, Freya Anderson broke Fran Halsall’s ten-year 200m freestyle British record record, the World Championships relay bronze medallist clocking 1:53.33.
London Roar finished second in the final meet standings behind Turkey-based franchise Energy Standard.
Sportsbeat 2019