Adam Peaty Claims 100 Breast Title at AP Race London; Oliver Klemet Takes 400 Free Crown
If the first night of finals from the AP Race London International is an indication, Sunday night’s competition should feature plenty of speed at the London Aquatic Centre, site of the 2012 Olympic Games. One day after American Anna Moesch (50-meter freestyle) and meet namesake Adam Peaty (50 breaststroke) earned victories, the duo was on the chase for additional hardware in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, respectively.
Here is a roundup of the action from the Night Two finals:
Adam Peaty Completes Breaststroke Double
Great Britain’s Adam Peaty wrapped up a breaststroke double on Sunday when the multi-time Olympic medalist and world-record holder won the 100 breast. Coming off a win in the 50 breaststroke during Saturday action, Peaty led four men under the one-minute barrier in the 100 distance. Ultimately, Peaty emerged ahead of the field, as he was timed in 59.15. Peaty has been 58.97 this year.
The runnerup to Peaty was Canada’s Oliver Dawson, who touched the wall in 59.33. Dawson’s time marked his second national record of the day, following his 59.55 from prelims. Dawson was followed by American Alexei Avakov (59.58) and Britain’s Filip Nowacki (59.63).
Amalie Smith and Angharad Evans Lead British Charge
Rising teenager Amalie Smith gave the home crowd something cheer about as she packaged a strong outing in the 400 individual medley. Smith covered her eight lengths in 4:35.18, good for a personal best by a slim margin. Last month, Smith went 4:35.46 at the British Championships, in the process qualifying for the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
Smith was followed on Sunday by American Audrey Derivaux, who registered her own career-best time. Derivaux was timed in 4:37.27, which marked a two-plus second drop from her previous best of 4:39.67.
A month removed from breaking the 1:05 barrier for the first time in her career, Great Britain’s Angharad Evans made another push for a 1:04-point performance in the 100 breaststroke. Evans cruised to victory her in prime event, clocking 1:05.13. That time handed Evans a comfortable margin over runnerup Eneli Jefimova (1:06.37) of Estonia.
Great Britain’s Matt Richards and Jacob Mills managed a one-two finish in the men’s 100 freestyle, with Richards securing a comfortable victory. A longtime staple for Britain on the international stage, Richards scared the 48-second barrier while touching in 48.04, almost a half-second clear of the 48.49 from Mills. They were followed by the United States’ Jonny Kulow in 48.53.
Oliver Klemet and Anna Moesch Grab Middle-Distance Wins
The first event of the night featured a down-to-the-wire battle between Germany’s Oliver Klemet and the United States’ Ryan Erisman in the 400 freestyle. At the touch, Klemet earned a narrow victory, as his time of 3:44.01 was slightly quicker than the 3:44.03 of Erisman. Klemet has been 3:43.14 this year while Erisman improved his previous personal best by nearly two seconds while vaulting to fifth in the world rankings.
Great Britain’s James Guy turned in a third-place finish, going 3:47.35.
In the women’s 200 freestyle, Anna Moesch maintained her momentum. Coming off a career-best performance in the 50 freestyle from the opening night of the meet, the University of Virginia standout added a personal best over four laps. Moesch posted a time of 1:55.81 for a one-second triumph over Great Britain’s Freya Colbert (1:56.81). With a previous top time of 1:56.55, Moesch moved from 17th to 11th in the all-time American rankings.
Third place went to Moesch’s UVA teammate, Maddie Mintenko, in 1:57.69.
Germany also landed on the top of the podium in the women’s 1500 freestyle and 50 butterfly. Isabel Gose grabbed her second victory of the meet when she followed a first-place finish in the 400 freestyle with a 16:01.34 mark in the 1500 free. Japan’s Airi Ebina was right behind in 16:02.22. In the 50 fly, Angelina Kohler clocked 25.61 to prevail.
In Other Action…
Great Britain’s Evan Jones won the men’s 200 individual medley in 1:59.14 while Estonia’s Ralf Tribuntsov prevailed in the 50 backstroke in 24.81. Another Estonian was triumphant in the men’s 200 butterfly, as Kregor Zirk went 1:57.79 for top honors.
American Charlotte Crush topped the field in the women’s 100 backstroke. After going 59.95 during prelims, Crush won the final in 1:00.09.