Adam Peaty became the first man to win a third 100-meter breaststroke title at the world swimming championships on Monday night. A Canadian teenager grabbed a share of the spotlight by upsetting Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom in the women’s 100 breast.
Peaty claimed the title in 57.14 seconds, a night after he became the first man to break 57 seconds in the semifinals. The British swimmer was under his own world-record pace at the turn before coming home a full body-length in front and 1.32 seconds ahead of teammate James Wilby.
In the semis, Peaty was timed in 56.88. He’s also the current Olympic champion.
Wilby touched in 58.46. Yan Zibei of China was third in 58.63.
Margaret MacNeil, a 19-year-old competing in her biggest international meet so far, surprised Sjostrom in the women’s race.
Sjostrom took it out strong, dipping under her world-record pace on the first lap, while MacNeil was in fifth.
But MacNeil roared back with the fastest closing lap — 29.06 — of the eight-woman final and touched first in 55.83.
Sjostrom was second in 56.22, denied a record fifth title in the 100 breast. Emma McKeon of Australia earned bronze in 56.61.
After receiving their medals, the three women gathered on the top podium spot and raised their palms to the crowd, displaying a message to ailing 19-year-old Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee.
“Rikako never give up” it read, with hearts decorating their palms. Sjostrom came up with the idea.
Ikee announced in February that she has leukemia. She was the world junior champion in the 100 fly and had the fastest time in the world last year. She is aiming to return in time to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.
“We’re hoping this will show that we’re supporting her and we’re here if she needs anything,” said MacNeil, who swims at Michigan.
The United States won its first-ever gold in the men’s 50 butterfly. Caeleb Dressel’s time of 22.35 set a championship record and earned his ninth career world title.
Two years ago, Dressel won seven golds to equal Michael Phelps’ record at a single worlds. The 50 fly was the only event Dressel failed to win in Budapest.
After getting upset in the 400 freestyle on Sunday, Katie Ledecky’s lone race was the morning preliminaries of the 1,500 freestyle. She breezed through the grueling race in 15 minutes, 48.90 seconds — 2.69 seconds faster than second-fastest qualifier Simona Quadarella of Italy.
The final is Tuesday night.
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