Adam Peaty Does The Double With 50 Blast In London As Tickets Are Punched On The Path To Paris
Adam Peaty did the double with a 50m sprint of 26.64 to punch another ticket for Paris at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in London.
The three-time Olympic champion went sub-59 in the 100 breast on the opening evening at the Aquatics Centre and returned to go third in the 50 rankings behind Van Mathias’ two outings of 26.57 and 26.62 at the Pro Swim Series in Austin in January.
Filip Nowacki: Photo Courtesy: Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics
Filip Nowacki added silver to second in the 100 in 27.10 as he too was inside the cut for the European Championships in Paris with Max Morgan third in 27.22 as the trio replicated the podium finish from the 100.
The trio will lock horns once more at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where Peaty and Morgan will represent Team England and Nowacki will swim for Jersey.
“I’ve really applied myself mentally as well as I could, especially these past few weeks, to get this result,” said Peaty. “I’m in a very good place, but my job now is to go back to the drawing board and look at how we can improve, because as you know I like to be dominant.
“Sometimes it’s not enough to win, and that’s testament to who I am. I wouldn’t be able to do what I’ve done if I had a different attitude, and if I thought gold was enough. So I have to set these markers for myself.”
He added: “To be honest, when you experience a lot of pain you know where to put it. Everyone’s on their own journey, and for me, in these next two years, I know I’m going to use that and I’m also sure I want to love the sport and give as much back as possible, but, you know what, I want to be on top of that podium in two years time.”
Five More On The Path To Paris
Five others booked tickets to the European Championships in August; Duncan Scott and Ed Mildred in the 200 ‘fly; Lauren Cox in the 100m backstroke; and, in the 400m medley finals, Max Litchfield and 16-year-old European junior champion and world junior silver medallist last year, Amalie Smith.
Duncan Scott: Photo Courtesy: Morgan Harlow/Getty Images
A terrific tussle between defending champion Duncan Scott and Ed Mildred put both on the Great Britain team for the continental showcase.
Scott set the pace for three lengths before Mildred surged and appeared to have momentum.
However, the eight-time Olympic medallist dug deep and got the decisive touch in 1;54.97 to 1:55.06, a PB for Mildred.
The bronze went to backstroke specialist Luke Greenbank in 1:57.80.
Scott said: “Awesome race. Always tight. Look, I’ve got to be at my best at these championships and some good, honest racing in April is always nice – let’s see what I can do in the summer.”
With a nod to Mildred, he added: “1:55 is a huge pb – and at the age he is. It’s a terrific swim, it’s great to see these younger guys coming through.”
Smith Maintains Fine Tradition
Amalie Smith has cut a swathe through junior waters at world and continental level and the teen upholds a fine IM tradition in Britain that includes Hannah Miley, Siobhan O’Connor and Aimee Willmott in recent times.
Amalie Smith: Photo Courtesy: Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics
She’ll be heading to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games and Paris for the Europeans after scoring a 12-second victory in the 400IM in 4:35.36. Suzie McNair (4:47.32) and Evi Mackie (4:47.87) joined her on the podium.
The teenager – who turns 17 in August after the conclusion of the Europeans in the French capital – won the IM double at last year’s European juniors and double silver at the world juniors.
Lauren Cox’ 59.66 victory was enough to punch her a ticket to Paris by 0.01sec. Blythe Kinsman, her teammate at the Manchester Performance Centre with coach Ryan Livingstone was next home in 1:00.84. Katie Shanahan was third in 1:01.10.
Litchfield claimed the 400IM title in 4:11.69, more than four seconds ahead of Charlie Hutchison (4:15.79) with George Smith third (4:18.59).
Amelie Blocksidge, aged 17, added her fourth national 1500m freestyle title to her collection in 16:22.93. Abbie Roscoe finished in second (16:32.58) with Lucy Parsons third (16:36.79).
