Britons rule in pool again as Guy upstages stars in 200m freestyle
TEENAGER James Guy continued Great Britain’s golden week at the Aquatics World Championships in Russia by beating a host of star names to win the men’s 200m freestyle yesterday.
The 19-year-old from Somerset’s success followed team-mate Adam Peaty’s triumph in the men’s 100m breaststroke on Monday – Britain’s first in that event for 40 years.
Guy, who won silver in the 400m freestyle on Sunday, went one better over half the distance, beating fancied Olympic silver medallist Sun Yang of China into second place.
World record holder Paul Biedermann of Germany was third, while American Ryan Lochte, an idol of Guy’s and the winner of five gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics, could only finish fourth.
“I never thought I’d race Ryan Lochte head-to-head like that,” said Guy. “He is one of my heroes, so to race him was amazing and to touch my hand on the wall first and be world champion hasn’t sunk in yet. I am so happy. I didn’t think that I would make the final of the 200m.”
Peaty could claim his second gold of the championships in Kazan today in the 50m breaststroke final.
The 20-year-old set a new world record in yesterday’s semi-final, having seen South African rival Cameron van der Burgh break his previous mark just hours earlier.
Peaty is also set to compete in the 200m breaststroke this week.