Adam Peaty Shakes Off Nerves In Strong 100 Breast Prelim Swim

Photo Courtesy: Ian MacNicol

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Adam Peaty is the world record holder in the men’s 100 breaststroke, and he made his long course world championship debut with a 58.52 in the prelims to lead qualifiers into the semifinals.

Despite being the fastest man in history in the event, Peaty admitted to having a case of nerves before his race. Walking to the blocks in front of a large crowd at the biggest international swim meet outside of the Olympics played a hand in that, he said.

“I was a little bit more nervous than usual,” he said. The enthusiastic crowd in the Kazan Arena was “like a finals crowd, a bit crazy,” he said, adding that his training allowed him to be so quick in the opening 50 meters. It’s the third-fastest swim in history, and his fastest prelim swim of his young career.

The 20-year-old said he expects great things in tonight’s semifinals.

“I felt relaxed,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of work on that front end to keep it as relaxed as possible. It’s a bit tough on the back end, but that’s what it’s going to be.”

Peaty will be challenged by former world record holder Cameron Van Der Burgh in the battle to see who will be fastest through the semifinals. The last time the two raced together was the Commonwealth Games last summer, where Peaty posted an upset to beat Van Der Burgh. Nine months after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, Peaty broke Van Der Burgh’s world record with a 57.92.

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