Adam Peaty Breaks Commonwealth Games Record During Prelims Of 50 Breaststroke

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Women’s 200 Backstroke – Preliminary Heats

The first event of the day started off with two heats of the women’s 200 backstroke. Canadian Hilary Caldwell made a great morning effort to earn the top qualifying spot with her time of 2:09.11. English swimmer Elizabeth Simmonds reached in for second place with her time of 2:10.81.

The Australian breaststrokers are putting the pressure on as they currently sit in 3rd, 4th, and 5th after this mornings prelim session. Belinda Hocking was 2:11.07, Emily Seebohm was behind her with a 2:11.47, and in fifth is Madi Wilson at 2:11.53.

Caldwell’s Canadian teammate’s Genevieve Canton and Sinead Russell qualified 6th and 7th at 2:11.59 and 2:12.78, respectively. Rounding out the top 8 qualifiers is Lauren Quiqley from England at 2:13.45.

Men’s 50 Breaststroke – Preliminary Heats

England’s Adam Peaty has been swimming well all week. Last night he touched out the defending olympic champion and today he touched the wall at 27.00 to earn the top seed in the men’s 50 breaststroke and break the Commonwealth Games record. Cameron Van Der Burgh had the previous record set at 27.18 from the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

It looks as if we are going to see another heated race between Peaty and South Africa’s Cameron Van Der Burgh. Van Der Burgh qualified second with his time of 27.39. That is only two tenth’s of his previous record time from 2010.

16 swimmers advance to the semi-finals of the men’s 50 breaststroke, but it is going to be tight tonight. The top 8 swimmers were all under 28 seconds this morning. That leaves 8 swimmers within a second of the Commonwelath Games record. It could be anyone race.

Scotland’s Ross Murdoch is seeded third at 27.44, just in front of Glenn Snyders and Christian Sprenger of Australia at 27.45 and 27.57, respectively.

Women’s 100 Freestyle – Preliminary Heats

Here comes Australia!! Cate Campbell had the fastest time of the morning, clocking in at 53.20. She led a 1-2-3 finish from Emma McKeon and her sister, Bronte Campbell, at 54.19 and 54.42. England’s Francesca Halsall isn’t ready to go down without a fight, however. She tied Bronte Campbell with the third fastest time of the morning at 54.42. She has already won a gold medal and a bronze medal this week and will be a serious medal contender in this event.

The fifth place qualifier is Ariana Vanderpool-Wallace from the Bahamas. She touched the wall at 54.90, and was the final swimmer under 55 seconds.

Samantha Lucie-Smith from New Zealand had the 8th fastest qualifying time at 55.71 and Nur Marina Chan Si Min Aluf Abdullah had the 16th fastest swim of the morning with her time of 57.37.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke SB9 – Preliminary Heats

Australia has been dominant in the Paralympic events this week, but today might be another country’s opportunity to earn a trip to the podium in this event. New Zealand’s Sophie Pascoe earned the top seed with her time of 1:19.71. Scotland’s Erraid Davies qualified second with her time of 1:22:08. Madeleine Scott from Australia had the third place time of 1:22.28.

Women’s 200 IM – Preliminary Heats

England’s Siobhan O’Connor earned the top qualifying spot in the women’s 200 IM. She touched the wall at 2:11.42 to swim the fastest time of the morning. Australian Alicia Coutts reached in at 2:12.00 to qualify second, and Scotish swimmer Hannah Miley qualified third with her time of 2:12.45. England’s Aimee Willmott was also right in the mix, qualifying fourth with her time of 2:12.55.

Canadian Sydney Pickrem was the last swimmer to qualify, finishing eighth with her time of 2:14.95.

Men’s 100 Butterfly – Preliminary Heats

Chad Le Clos is working toward his second gold medal of the games. After winning the 200 butterfly, the South African earned the top qualifying spot in the men’s 100 butterfly with his time of 52.69. That is a very reserved morning swim for Le Clos, and should get much faster as we advance through finals.

Australia’s Jayden Hadler finished second with his time of 52.81. Christopher Wright touched just behind his national teammate at 52.89 for third.

Adam Barrett from England had the fourth fastest time of the day, and is one of many to finish in the 53 second range. His final time was 53.13, followed by a 53.27 from Kenyan Jason Dunford.

Tommaso D’Orsogna (AUS) had the 8th fastest time of the morning with a 53.53 and Zheng Wen Quah (SIN) had the 16th fastest time of the morning with his 54.46.

Women’s 100 Breaststroke – Preliminary Heats

Sophie Taylor is trying to get the job done for England in the women’s 100 breaststroke. She posted the fastest time of the morning at 1:07.77. Jamaica’s Alia Atkinson was hot on her trail, finishing second with her time of 1:07.95.

Australian Sally Hunter finished third at 1:08.42, and Scotland’s Katie Armitage was fourth with her time of 1:08.81.

This could be an important event for Canada. After this morning, they have two swimmers seeded in the top 8 for semi-finals. Tara Van Beilen and Kierra Smith are seeded 6th and 7th.

Australian Leiston Pickett had the 8th fastest time of the morning at 1:09.46 and Laura Kinley from the Isle of Man had the 16th fastest time of the morning at 1:10.90.

Women’s 800 Freestyle – Preliminary Heats

Jazz Carlin went 8:22.69 to earn the top seed in the women’s 800 freestyle for the Welsh team. Lauren Boyle from New Zealand and Alanna Bowles from Australia are both within striking distance of Carlin as the 2nd and 3rd qualifiers. Boyle touched the wall at 8:24.85 and Bowles touched the way at 8:25.18.

Canadian Brittany Maclean has had a strong long course season after a fantastic short course season. She won the 500 yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships, beating out Missy Franklin and other strong distance swimmers.

Scotland and Australia were both able to qualify two swimmers each for finals; a break Scotland definitely needed. They need to find a way to earn a trip to the podium.

Men’s 4×200 Freestyle Relay – Preliminary Heats

There are four teams in the hunt to earn a medal in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay. Australia is the clear favorite, but South Africa, Scotland, and New Zealand will all be fighting to earn the silver and bronze medal. Australia was 7:12.85 this morning, giving themselves a nice cushion to stay in front of the other teams. South Africa was 7:16.44 this morning, and the other two teams were just under 7:20.