James Guy has given Great Britain a second World Championship gold
Last Updated: 04/08/15 4:44pm
Britain’s James Guy produced a brilliant swim to claim gold in the 200m freestyle at the World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
And, on a great night for British swimming, Monday’s 100m breaststroke gold medal winner Adam Peaty broke the world record in his 50m breaststroke semi-final.
The 19-year-old Guy lined up in a strong field for the 200m freestyle, which also included Chinese star Sun Yang, American former world champion Ryan Lochte, world record holder Paul Biedermann of Germany, and formidable South African Chad Le Clos.
Guy, who won silver in the 400m freestyle on Sunday, started well in Tuesday’s final over four lengths of the pool and had the lead after 100m, but he trailed Sun and Lochte with a length to go.
However, the Brit had kept something in reserve and swam a superb final 50m to re-take the lead and triumph in one minute 45.15 seconds, which broke his own British record.
Sun had won the 400m on Sunday and was aiming for a historic 200, 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle quadruple, but he had to settle for second in 1:45.20, with Biedermann (1:45.38) third, Lochte fourth and Le Clos back in sixth.
Guy said: “I never thought I'd race Ryan Lochte head to head like that, he is one of my heroes.
"So, to race him like that was amazing and to touch my hand on the wall first and be world champion hasn't sunk in quite yet. I am so happy."
It was a second gold for Great Britain at the meeting following Peaty’s triumph on Monday and the 20-year-old from Uttoxeter produced further fireworks on Tuesday night.
His great rival Cameron van der Burgh had set a new 50m breaststroke world record of 26.62 seconds in Tuesday morning’s heats but that mark did not even last for a day as Peaty took his semi-final in the evening on 26.42.
Peaty and Van der Burgh, who won the second semi in 26.74, fought out a thrilling finish to the 100m final and will now square off again in Wednesday’s 50m final.
