- Adam Peaty claimed his first major short-course title in the 100m breaststroke
- The Great Britain star set a a new European record of 55.94 seconds
- Peaty admitted afterwards that he knew the race would be a ‘tussle’
Adam Peaty claimed his first major short-course title with gold in the 100 metres breaststroke at the European Championships in Copenhagen.
Peaty, the Olympic and world champion and world record holder in long course over the distance, set a new European record of 55.94 seconds.
The 22-year-old, who is one of the 12 contenders to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday, won a bronze medal in the 50m earlier in the week.
Adam Peaty claimed his first major short-course title with gold in the 100m breaststroke
There was more British success in the 50m butterfly, with Ben Proud securing a bronze.
Peaty, who surprised a delighted young Danish girl in the crowd by giving her his medal, believes short-course success can help him reduce his times further in the 50m pool.
He said on britishswimming.org: ‘That kind of race was a tussle, I knew it was going to be a tussle in that last 25, but if anyone is next to me – I’m the man to get it done.
‘It’s great to kind of carry that experience as an athlete as this is my third ever final in short course.
The Olympic and world champion set a new European record of 55.94 seconds
‘Compared to long course I’ve had hundreds so this kind of experience to me is vital and is going to help me get even faster on the long course.’
Duncan Scott won his heat to qualify for the final of the 100m freestyle on Sunday night with the third fastest time.