Britain’s swimmers once again delivered a day to remember at the Japan Open, after taking a grand total of nine medals on the second day of competition.
After Adam Peaty led a four-strong medal showing on day one, it was to get even better on day two with four golds and five bronze medals in Tokyo – an ideal performance in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycle.
Peaty was once again on the top of the podium after a scintillating display in the 50m breaststroke, despite coming off the back of a gruelling training session in Thailand.
“I’d have liked to go a little bit faster but when you’re in such a hard block of training it’s difficult to get the speed up there but I’m more than happy with that,” Peaty told British Swimming.
The Rio 2016 Olympic champion was not the only victor however, with James Guy following up his medal display on day one to take a higher step on the podium this time around.
Guy had taken 200m butterfly bronze earlier in the meet, but this time roared up to gold in the 400m freestyle – a result that even he claims was slightly unexpected.
“It’s been a bit of a surprise to swim this way off the back of the training we’ve been doing,” said the double European champion. “It’s a good sign for the rest of the season and gives me confidence.”
Meanwhile there was gold for Commonwealth medallist Ben Proud in the 50m butterfly, maintaining his lead from the off, while the 50m breaststroke crown went to Imogen Clark – delivering a performance sure to boost to confidence in the coming months.
Hannah Miley took the first medal of the day, in the 400m individual medley, while Alys Thomas won bronze in the 50m butterfly to add to Sarah Vasey's effort.
Jessica Fullalove achieved the same medal in the 200m backstroke while the 100m freestyle bronze went to Olympic medallist Duncan Scott.
Sportsbeat 2017