Commonwealth Games, Day Four Finals: Lewis Clareburt Surges Home to Win 200 Fly Gold
The men’s 200 butterfly gave fans one of the most thrilling finishes of these Commonwealth Games. Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand, the defending champion from 2022, had all the odds stacked against him coming in with World Championship bronze medalist Harrison Turner in the field.
Turner took the race out hard, touching in a time of 53.62 at the 100-meter mark. Clareburt touched in seventh, 1.58 seconds behind Turner. But the experience of Clareburt played a major factor as he swam his own race. Turner actually extended his lead on the third length, with Clareburt 1.67 seconds adrift. But the New Zealand swimmer split 29.92 on the final 50, two seconds faster than Turner, to storm back and win gold.
For Clareburt, this marks his sixth Commonwealth Games medal and his second in Glasgow. His time of 1:55.05 is a new best time and now ranks him 14th in the world this season. Although the time is not in the top end of world-class 200 fly times, Clareburt’s win continues a historic New Zealand 200 fly legacy. This win now gives New Zealand their sixth men’s 200 fly gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Disappointing will be the word surrounding Turner after this race. The Australian-record holder came into the event with a best time that was almost a second faster than any other competitor. Unfortunately for Turner, he could not hold on after a start that may have been too quick. He ended up with silver in 1:55.38.
Matthew Temple of Australia finished in third with a time of 1:55.45. Temple sat in second place nearly the whole race until Clareburt charged home. The second and third place finishes for Australia continue their drought of 24 years without winning a gold in this event on the men’s side.
Duncan Scott of Scotland finished in fourth place, only four tenths away from the podium, in 1:55.85. Scott has already won gold in the 200 IM this week.
