Peaty powers to European gold in Budapest

Swimming 18 May 21

Adam Peaty's imperious breaststroke form continued as he claimed his fourth consecutive European 100m gold on another successful night for Britain’s swimmers in Budapest.

Peaty came home in 57.66s to head a podium containing two Brits after a fantastic second 50m from James Wilby saw him earn bronze in 58.58.

It was a 13th European gold for Peaty in all and one the 26-year-old is delighted with as he continues to gear up for Tokyo.

"That was good, it was a very tactical race," he said.

"It's always nice to have something to improve on. Coming into this week, I was already doing hard sessions and then had a bit of rest coming into this.

"It's just testament to how powerful my stroke is feeling, so come the Olympics, it's hopefully going to be a good show.

"It's going to be a tough battle in Tokyo. There's going to be a lot of guys going low 58s or 57 high, and it's going to be an interesting time for 100m breaststroke."

Wilby, who is also Tokyo-bound, was just 0.12 seconds off his personal best in securing his fourth European medal.

Peaty’s was the first of two British golds on the second evening of competition, with the 4x200m Mixed Freestyle team surging to victory in a new British and Championship record time of 7:26.67.

Britain led from start to finish and after Tom Dean and James Guy had got the quartet off to a flyer, Abbie Wood and Freya Anderson kept up the momentum to earn their second gold medals in as many days following success in the women’s 4x100m on Monday.

In-form 20-year-old Anderson, who has now won six European medals, said: "This is a nice confidence boost and a really nice way to get into the meet, to go out there with your team - to have two golds is just a bonus!

"I'm really excited to get going on the individuals now."

Guy added: "This is quite a new team and quite a new event for the world of swimming, but tonight it was a really good swim by all four of us.

"The main focus here is just trying to progress things on, as the main meet for us is obviously the Olympic Games, but it's another gold for the team and four really good swims."

British records also tumbled in the women’s 100m breaststroke and 50m backstroke semi-finals, with Molly Renshaw (1:06.21) and Kathleen Dawson (27.19) booking places in their respective finals in style.

Renshaw described herself as ‘over the moon’ and said: "I’m a bit surprised to be honest!

"When it comes to the 100m, sometimes I try too hard and end up going slower. This morning I took the [stroke] rate down a few notches, tried to keep it controlled and then bring it home as well as I could with my legs - it seems to have worked, so I’m really happy."

Dawson, who will join Renshaw in going for gold on Wednesday evening, added: "I couldn't have asked for anything better than that.

"To be swimming so well at this point in the season bodes well for the Olympics. The Olympics are all I've wanted since I was a kid, so to be able to go into the Olympics in a position to possibly go for a medal, it's more than I could've asked for.

"I'm looking forward to the final. I know people will be looking out for me, but this is just prep for the 100m for me, so I'll just go out and enjoy it.

"Everything that I'm applying in training is finally paying off for me."

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Anna Hopkin - part of the successful 4x100m team on Monday - finished sixth in the 50m freestyle final in a season’s best time of 24.51.

Dean warmed up for his relay success by securing his place in the men’s 100m freestyle final while Sarah Vasey and Cassie Wild will join Renshaw and Dawson in the 100m breaststroke and 50m backstroke finals respectively.

Tuesday’s results ensure Britain will go into day three sitting top of the medal table with three golds, two silvers and a bronze collected so far.

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