Commonwealth Games, Day Five Prelims: Lewis Clareburt Sets Up Title Defense in 400 IM
It’s been a strong week for New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt at the Commonwealth Games, with the veteran already winning a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly and silver in the 200 individual medley. On Tuesday morning, the veteran will get to work in his best event, the 400 IM. Clareburt is the reigning champion in the event, thanks to the 4:08.70 that handed him the crown in Birmingham four years ago.
Clareburt will be tested by the likes of England’s Max Litchfield and the Australian duo of Will Petric and Brendon Smith, and all four athletes should advance to the final without expending much energy. Smith was the silver medalist to Clareburt at the last edition of the Games. Beyond the 400 IM, prelims action on Day Five will unfold in the women’s 200 IM, men’s 50 butterfly, women’s 50 freestyle, men’s 200 breaststroke, men’s 100 backstroke, women’s 50 freestyle (S13), men’s 50 freestyle (S13) and the mixed 400 medley relay.
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Five prelims:
Men’s 400 Individual Medley
Defending champion Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand secured Lane Four for his title defense, as he cruised through his morning heat of the 400 IM in 4:16.49, just ahead of the 4:16.54 of Australian Will Petric. England’s Max Litchfield, the fourth-place finisher in the event at the past three Olympic Games, was next in 4:16.82 while Canada’s Lorne Wigginton went 4:17.23 for fourth.
Women’s 200 Individual Medley
