Adam Peaty Swims 2nd-Fastest 100 Breast Ever In Semi-Finals

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Swimming: August 6-13
• Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
• Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
• SwimSwam previews 
• Day 1 Schedule & Results
• Live Stream (NBC)

After demolishing his own world record in the 100 breast prelims this morning, Great Britain’s Adam Peaty narrowly missed his record of 57.55 tonight in the semis, clocking 57.62 for the top seed heading to tomorrow’s final. That was the 2nd fastest swim ever, ranked only behind his morning swim, and is the third time anyone has ever been under 58, owning all three.

Here’s a comparative look at Peaty’s splits from his three sub-58 second swims:

• 2015 British Championships: 27.04 (30.88), 57.92
• 2016 Olympic Games: 26.69 (30.86), 57.55 (Prelim swim) WR
• 2016 Olympic Games: 26.71 (30.91), 57.62 (Semi-final swim)

With those two swims today, Peaty now owns the six fastest times in history.

Peaty’s second semi-final heat included the top three times of the night, with Cody Miller of the United States taking the 2nd spot in a personal best 59.05, and Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa nailing down the 3rd best time in 59.21.

The first semi was surprisingly much slower than their morning swims in general, with Japan’s Yasuhiro Koseki leading the way in 59.23, followed by USA’s Kevin Cordes (59.33).

Also qualifying for the final was hometown favorites Felipe Franca and Joao Gomes, 6th and 7th overall.

Peaty will have lane four for the final tomorrow night, surrounded by Miller and his rival from last year’s Worlds van der Burgh. They had a close battle last year, but it appears as though Peaty has progressed while van der Burgh has regressed.