Adam Peaty’s attempt to reclaim the Commonwealth men’s 100m breaststroke title he won in 2014 and 2018 fell short on day two of the Glasgow 2026 Games as Australia’s Sam Williamson came through to take gold ahead of Jersey’s Filip Nowacki.
Peaty, 31, who appeared to be in pole position as the race moved into the final 15 metres, was overtaken by Williamson – who was unable to walk 14 months ago due to a serious knee injury – and then his 18-year-old British team-mate Nowacki.
Williamson took gold in 59.17 with Nowacki earning Jersey’s first Commonwealth swimming medal in 59.34 and England’s multiple Olympic and world champion, who set a world record of 56.88 in this event seven years ago, claimed bronze in 59.65.
The result was highly encouraging for Nowacki and Peaty, both of whom are heading for the European Aquatics Championships Paris 2026 next month. It was also a triumph for the 28-year-old Australian.
“Fourteen months ago I wasn’t walking,” Williamson said.
“I was still in a knee brace, I was on crutches, I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t do anything by myself, I needed my mum to actually hold me up to have a shower. So just getting up on the blocks tonight took an immense effort.”
Peaty told BBC Sport: “It took a lot of courage to get back into the sport, so we should be happy with everything we get, but then that contradicts the athlete inside me and what I work for.
“I just think I deserve more. I know sport isn’t about what you deserve or even what you work for – it’s who gets it on the day..
“I just know I’m a better athlete than that. It’s very disappointing.”
Elsewhere in the programme at the Tollcross International Pool England’s Oliver Morgan won 50m backstroke silver as he clocked 24.48 behind the Games record of 24.18 set by South Africa’s world silver medallist Pieter Coetze.
England earned a second silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle where they clocked 4:23.91 behind the Games record of 3:19.36 set by Australia, with Wales earning bronze.
In men’s para-swimming England’s William Ellard set a Games record of 1:51.66 in the 200m freestyle S14, with Rhys Darbey of Wales earning bronze in 1:56.24.
In women’s para-swimming there was a home nations clean sweep in the 200m freestyle S14, with Georgia Sheffield taking gold in a Games record of 2:06.07, her team-mate Poppy Maskill earning silver in 2:07.44 and Northern Ireland’s Bethany Firth taking bronze in 2:07.63.
There was home gold in the women’s 200m individual medley SM10 as Faye Rogers touched first in 2:29.61.
Swimming at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games runs from July 24 to 29.
Mike Rowbottom for European Aquatics
