Commonwealth Games – Semifinals: Adam Peaty Positioned For 50 Breaststroke Title; Aussies Seeking 100 Free Sweep
The shockwaves still reverberating from his fourth-place finish in the 100-meter breaststroke, the focus of the semifinal races at the Commonwealth Games on Monday was unsurprisingly on England’s Adam Peaty. Yet, beyond Peaty’s presence in the 50-meter breaststroke, plenty of stars were in action at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Additional semifinal competition was held in the women’s 100 freestyle, men’s 100 butterfly and women’s 100 breaststroke.
Here is what happened in the semifinal races.
Men’s 50 Breaststroke
Can Adam Peaty capture the lone major crown not in his collection? Bouncing back from his fourth-place showing in the 100 breaststroke, the English star qualified second for the final of the 50 breaststroke behind an effort of 27.03. That time was slightly bettered by Aussie Sam Williamson in the second semifinal, as he touched in 27.01. Peaty was the silver medalist in this event at the past two Commonwealth Games.
Peaty has openly discussed the disappointment and heartache which accompanied his performance in the 100 breast, and he has vowed to sort through what went wrong and fight on. Before returning to training and reflection, he’ll have a chance to ease some of the sting in the final of the 50 breast. Qualifying third was South African Michael Houlie, who was timed in 27.39.
Women’s 100 Freestyle
The Australians are looking good for another podium sweep in a freestyle event, as Emma McKeon, Mollie O’Callaghan and Shayna Jack recorded the fastest-three marks in the semifinals of the 100 freestyle. McKeon, the reigning Olympic champion, won the first semifinal in 53.12 while O’Callaghan, the reigning world champ, won the second semifinal in 53.33, with Jack at 53.43. Fourth-fastest was England’s Anna Hopkin in 53.96. The Aussie women have already swept the medals in the 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
Australia’s Matt Temple led the way into the final, thanks to a performance of 51.52. That swim enabled Temple to edge South Africa’s Chad le Clos for the top seed. Le Clos is looking for a third straight title in the event. Advancing as the third seed was England’s James Guy, whose 51.82 was just ahead of the 51.85 of Canadian Joshua Liendo. Also reaching the final was Cody Simpson, with the Aussie recording a swim of 52.16.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
The stage is set for the champions of the 200 and 50 breast to meet in a South African battle royale.
Lara van Niekerk grabbed the top seed in semifinals of the 100 breast Monday, the 50 breast champ going 1:05.96. Behind her is countrywoman Tatjana Schoenmaker. The gold medalist in the 200 breast – at both the Commonwealth Games and last summer’s Olympics, in world-record time – is second in 1:06.43.
The South African race for gold should be no surprise, given van Niekerk’s emergence. Schoenmaker won silver in Tokyo in this event and holds the national record in 1:04.82 from that swim. Van Niekerk, however, set the Commonwealth Games record of 29.73 in winning the event. She owns the South African record over 50 meters, and her semis time of 1:05.96 was just .03 off the winning time at the 2022 World Champion in the event, won by Italy Benedetta Pilato.
They’ll have compatriot company in the final with Kaylene Corbett as the sixth seed in 1:07.96. The bronze medalist in the 200 breast may not be as much of a medal threat over the shorter distance.
That bronze may come down to two Aussies: Chelsea Hodges is the third seed after going 1:07.16, .14 up on Jenna Strauch. Hodges won bronze in the 50, Strauch silver in the 200. England’s Molly Renshaw, fifth in semis in 1:07.42, could play spoiler.
