2022 Commonwealth Games: Day 2 Finals Live Recap

2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

• Friday, July 29 – Wednesday, August 3, 2022
• Birmingham, England
• Sandwell Aquatic Center
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 10:30 am local / 5:30 am ET
  • Finals: 7:00 pm local / 2:00 pm ET
• LCM (50m)
• Meet Central
• Event Schedule
• Entry List
• Entries (in seed order) – h/t to Troyy
• Live Results

The 2nd finals session of the 2022 Commonwealth Games is loaded, featuring a ton of events. Some of the most anticipated events include the women’s 50 breast, where South African sprint star Lara van Niekerk should be in a field of her own. The only woman to have been under 30 seconds in this field, van Niekerk stands an excellent chance at taking down the Commonwealth Record as well in the event.

The women’s 100 fly final will also be a thriller, simply because it features both Emma McKeon and Maggie MacNeil. This could turn out to be a race for the ages, as these two are arguably the top 2 100 flyers in the world right now.

The men’s 200 free should also be a fun one, as 400 free champ Elijah Winnington will be going up against a tough duo of Tom Dean and Duncan Scott.

Men’s 50 Fly Final

• Commonwealth Record: 22.73, Matt Targett (AUS), 2009 World Championships
• Commonwealth Games Record: 22.93, Ben Proud (ENG), 2014
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Chad Le Clos (RSA), 23.37

Podium:

• GOLD: Ben Proud (GBR) – 22.81
• SILVER: Tzen Wei Teong (SGP) – 23.21
• BRONZE: Cameron Gray (NZL) – 23.27

Ben Proud left no doubt as he tore to victory in the 50 fly final tonight, shattering his own 8-year-old Commonwealth Games Record of 22.93. The Gold marks Proud’s 4th individual CG Gold of his career, and his 2nd CG title in the 50 fly. Moreover, it was a significantly faster swim than proud produced in the final at World Championships, where he took 7th in 23.08. The swim was off the 22.76 Proud swam in semifinals at Worlds, which was the #1 qualifying time for finals.

Similarly, Singapore’s Tzen Wei Teong was faster than he swam in the 50 fly at Worlds, where he clocked a 23.29 for 8th place in the final. Tonight, he was 23.21, edging out New Zealander Cameron Gray for Silver.

On the flipside, after a phenomenal performance at World Championships, Trinidad and Tobago’s Dylan Carter took 4th tonight, finishing just off the medal stand with a 23.28. That swim came in well off the 22.85 Carter swam for 4th at Worlds last month, a time which stands as his personal best.

Women’s 50 Breast Final

• Commonwealth Record: 29.72, Lara van Niekerk (RSA), 2022 South African Championships
• Commonwealth Games Record: 29.82, Lara van Niekerk (RSA), 2022
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Sarah Vasey (ENG), 30.60

Podium:

• GOLD: Lara van Niekerk (RSA) – 29.73
• SILVER: Imogen Louise Clark (ENG) – 30.02
• BRONZE: Chelsea Hodges (AUS) – 30.05

South Africa’s Lara van Niekerk rocketed to victory tonight, touching as the only woman under 30 seconds. The performance was van Niekerk’s 2nd best of her career, coming in just 0.01 seconds off her personal best of 29.72, which stands as the Commonwealth Record. The swim did, however, re-break the Commonwealth Games Record that Niekerk set this morning.

Van Niekerk won Bronze at World Championships with a 29.90. Her performance tonight would have been good for Silver, just 0.03 behind Ruta Meilutyte‘s 29.70 Gold medal swim.

Behind van Niekerk, the field was incredible as well. England’s Imogen Louise Clark ripped a 30.02 to take down her own British Record of 30.04, which has stood since 2018. Similarly, Australia’s Chelsea Hodges took 3rd tonight with a 30.05, taking 0.10 seconds off the Australian Record she set in April. Neither Clark or Hodges raced the 50 breast at the World Champs last month, but their times tonight would have been good for 4th and 5th respectively had they done so.

Women’s 50 Free Semifinals

• CG Record: 23.78, Cate Campbell (AUS), 2018

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Shayna Jack (AUS) – 24.33
2. Meg Harris (AUS) – 24.41
3. Emma McKeon (AUS) – 24.51
4. Anna Hopkin (ENG) – 24.66
5. Emma Chelius (RSA) – 24.94
6. Danielle Hill (NIR) – 25.15
7. Erin Gallagher (RSA) – 25.31
8. Bella Hindley (ENG) – 25.36

The Australian trio was dominant in the semis of the women’s 50 free. Shayna Jack led the way, touching in 24.33, while Meg Harris (24.41) and Emma McKeon (24.51) were right behind. It appears that only England’s Anna Hopkin has a chance at breaking up the Aussie preventing a sweep of the podium.

Hopkin was right on the 24.60 she swam in semifinals at the World Championships, posting a 24.66 this evening. She was slower in finals at Worlds, something she’ll want to reverse this time around if she’s going to win a medal. Meg Harris was also right on the 24.38 she swam at World Champs to win Bronze. Jack’s swim tonight would have been good for Bronze at Worlds had she been healthy enough to compete there.

Men’s 200 Free Final

• CG Record: 1:44.71, Ian Thorpe (AUS), 2002

Podium:

• GOLD: Duncan Scott (SCO) – 1:45.02
• SILVER: Tom Dean (ENG) – 1:45.41
• BRONZE: Elijah Winnington (AUS) – 1:45.62

It was a thrilling race, but Scotland’s Duncan Scott had the superior back half tonight, pulling away from Tom Dean and Elijah Winnington by just enough to secure his 2nd Commonwealth Games individual Gold of his career. Scott was exceptional on the end of the race, splitting 26.91 and 26.57 on the final 2 50s, for a 53.48 on the final 100.

Scott’s time tonight was just off the 1:44.98 it took to medal at the World Championships last month, a time which coincidentally was swum by Tom Dean for Bronze. Dean was a bit off that mark tonight, turning in a still solid 1:45.41. Elijah Winnington was right on his World Champs performances, bettering the 1:45.82 he swam in finals in Budapest, but coming in just shy of the 1:45.53 he swam in semifinals there.

Men’s 50 Free S13 Final

Podium:

• GOLD: Nicolas Guy Turbide (CAN) – 24.32
• SILVER: Stephen Clegg (SCO) – 24.33
• BRONZE: Jacob Templeton (AUS) – 24.47

In a photo-finish, Canada’s Nicolas Guy Turbide touched out Scotland’s Stephen Clegg by 0.01 seconds, the slimmest of margins in our sport. Guy has been swimming exceptionally well this year, coming off a Gold medal performance at the World Championships, where he won the S13 100 backstroke. He also won Silver at the Parlaympic Games last summer in Tokyo.

Clegg is coming off a two-medal performance at the World Champs, wherein he won Gold in the S13 100 fly and Silver in the S13 100 free. For Bronze medalist Jacob Templeton, this marks his first major international medal.

Women’s 50 Free S13 Final

Podium:

• GOLD: Katja Dedekind (AUS) – 26.56
• SILVER: Hannah Russell (ENG) – 27.67
• BRONZE: Kirralee Hayes (AUS) – 28.24

The women’s S13 50 free was far less tight of a race than the men’s, seeing Australia’s Katja Dedekind pull away from the competition with a blistering 26.56. Her performance was not only good for a dominant win, but broke the S13 World Record as well. The previous record was held at 26.67 by Carlotta Gilli.

Dedekind is coming off a great performance at the World Championships, winning 3 medals.

England’s Hannah Russell, an S12 category swimmer, took Silver with a 27.67. Russell is a highly decorated para swimmer, having racked up 7 Paralympic medals, 11 World Championship medals, and 9 European Championships medals over the course of her career.

Men’s 100 Breast Semifinals

• CG Record: 58.59, Adam Peaty (ENG), 2018

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Adam Peaty (ENG) – 59.02
2. Zac Stubblety-Cook (AUS) – 59.80
3. James Wilby (ENG) – 59.85
4. Sam Williamson (AUS) – 59.98
5. Joshua Yong (AUS) – 59.99
6. Ross Murdoch (SCO) – 1:00.36
7. Craig Benson (SCO) – 1:00.61
8. Brendan Crawford (RSA) – 1:00.64

Adam Peaty was doing Adam Peaty things again this evening, outpacing the field by well over half a second. It was all but a given early on, as Peaty posted a sizzling 27.15 on the opening 50, which outmatched the rest of the field. 200 breast world record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook had a good swim this morning, clocking a 59.80 thanks to a very strong 31.40 on the 2nd 50.

Australia looks to be building out its men’s breaststroke group as they had 3 swimmers advance to the final, all 3 of whom were under 1:00 tonight. Sam Williamson and Joshua Yong will be in tomorrow’s final alongside ZSC. This is an important development for Australia, as they’re in need of a men’s 100 breaststroker who can compete on the world stage in order to get their men’s medley relays up to par with the likes of Great Britain, Italy, and the USA.

Women’s 100 Back Semifinals

• CG Record: 58.63, Kylie Masse (CAN), 2018

Top 8 Qualifiers:

1. Kylie Masse (CAN) -58.83
2. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 59.08
3. Medi Harris (WAL) – 59.64
4. Lauren Cox (ENG) – 1:00.36
5. Minna Atherton (AUS) – 1:00.50
6. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) – 1:00.59
7. Katie Shanahan (SCO) – 1:01.66
8. Rebecca Meder (RSA) – 1:01.71

One of the most highly anticipated races events of the meet saw Kylie Masse come out on top of Kaylee McKeown in the semifinals. Neither superstar backstroker was on top of their game tonight, as they’ve both been well under 58 seconds before, however, we can expect they’re saving their best racing for the final.

Medi Harris had a very solid swim this evening, setting herself up well for a medal push tomorrow. With Australian rising star Mollie O’Callaghan out of the mix, the field is wide open behind Masse and McKeown.

Men’s 400 IM Final

• CG Record: 4:11.04, Daniel Wallace (SCO), 2014
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Clyde Lewis (AUS) – 4:13.12

Podium:

• GOLD: Lewis Clareburt (NZL), 4:08.70
• SILVER: Brendon Smith (AUS), 4:10.15
• BRONZE: Duncan Scott (SCO), 4:11.27

Lewis Clareburt took nearly two seconds off his personal best from last summer’s Olympics, demolishing the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth, Oceanian, and New Zealand records en route to a comfortable victory. His 4:08.70 ranks as the fifth-fastest time in the world this year. The 23-year-old Kiwi opened up a lead after his backstroke split before stretching it to an insurmountable advantage on the breaststroke leg.

Brendon Smith was also under the previous Commonwealth Games record with a 4:10.15, and Duncan Scott capped his difficult 200 free/400 IM double with a bronze medal in 4:11.27 less than an hour after triumphing in the 200 free. Matt Sates finished fourth about five seconds off his personal best from the Mare Nostrum Tour earlier this year.

Women’s 100 Fly Final

• Commonwealth Record: 55.59, Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 2021 Olympic Games
• CG Record: 56.78, Emma McKeon (AUS), 2018
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Emma McKeon (AUS), 56.78

Podium:

• GOLD: Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 56.36
• SILVER: Emma McKeon (AUS), 56.38
• BRONZE: Brianna Throssell (AUS), 57.50

The much-anticipated duel between Olympic champ Maggie MacNeil and runner-up Emma McKeon did not disappoint.

For the second race in a row, we saw another Commonwealth Games record fall courtesy of MacNeil, and she needed every bit to edge McKeon for gold by just .02 seconds. MacNeil’s 56.36 is her fastest this season and No. 4 in the world this year. McKeon was also under her previous meet record of 56.78 set back in 2018. Both times would have won bronze at Worlds last month. Twenty-six-year-old Aussie Brianna Throssell repeated her bronze medal position from 2018.

Men’s 100 Back Final

• Commonwealth Record: 52.11, Mitch Larkin (AUS), 2015 FINA World Cup – Dubai
• CG Record: 53.12, Chris Walker-Hebborn (ENG), 2014
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Mitch Larkin (AUS), 53.18

Podium: 

• GOLD: Pieter Coetze (RSA), 53.78
• SILVER: Brodie Paul Williams (ENG), 53.91
• BRONZE: Bradley Woodward (AUS), 54.06

In a race that became even more wide open following the withdrawal of Aussie medal contender Isaac Cooper, Brodie Paul Williams‘s personal-best 53.91 wasn’t quite enough to catch 18-year-old Pieter Coetze, who rebounded in a big way after missing Worlds with COVID-19. Coetze pushed ahead on his final stroke, touching just .16 seconds off his personal best from last April.

Twenty-four-year-old Aussie Bradley Woodward, silver medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, took bronze behind Williams. Defending champ Mitch Larkin placed sixth with a 54.30, and rare Indian finalist Srihari Nataraj touched seventh in 54.31.

Women’s 4×100 Free Relay Final

• Commonwealth Record: 3:29.69, Australia, 2021 Olympic Games
• CG Record: 3:30.05, AUS, 2018
• 2018 Commonwealth Champion: Australia, 3:30.05

Podium:

• GOLD: Australia, 3:30.64
• SILVER: England, 3:36.62
• BRONZE: Canada, 3:37.25

With a back half featuring world champion Mollie O’Callaghan (52.66) and Olympic champ Emma McKeon (52.04), Australia cruised to victory by nearly six seconds. It’s McKeon’s 10th career gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, tying fellow Aussie swimmers Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones, and Susie O’Neill. Shayne Jack also clocked a sub-53 split for the Aussies with a 52.72 on the second leg.

The battle for second place tightened down the stretch, but England’s Freya Anderson (53.43) held off recent 100 fly champ Maggie MacNeil (53.11) on the anchor leg to seal silver. Anna Hopkin (53.81) posted the other sub-54 split for runner-up England. Summer McIntosh led off with a 54.62 for third-place Canada.

Men’s 4×100 Free Relay Final

• CG Record: 3:12.72, AUS, 2018

Podium:

• GOLD: Australia, 3:11.12
• SILVER: England, 3:11.73
• BRONZE: Canada, 3:13.01

A sizzling 46.70 anchor split by Tom Dean couldn’t quite push England past Kyle Chalmers (47.02) and the Aussies, who lowered their Commonwealth Games record from 2018 with a 3:11.12. Jacob Whittle‘s 47.94 split put England out in front after the second leg, but 23-year-old William Yang out-split 26-year-old Englishman James Guy by more than a second on the third leg to give the Aussies a lead they never relinquished.