Adam Peaty eases to British breaststroke double

Adam Peaty completed a British double with ease as he continued his warm up for next month’s Commonwealth Games.

The Loughborough swimmer added the 50m Breaststroke title to the 100m crown he won on Saturday night at the British Championships in Edinburgh.

Peaty was actually slower than his qualification time from the morning’s heats but he was still too strong for the rest of the field as he finished 0.7 seconds ahead of the field.

Peaty clocked 27.11 in the final – 0.04 seconds slower than his heat time – but comfortably clear of silver medallist James Wilby, who finished in 27.81.

“It was great to get out there and race but now it’s time to get back in Commonwealth Games mode,” said Peaty, who is reigning world champion and world record holder for 50m Breast.

“It was good to put a show on tonight. It was great to be against James, a fellow Loughborough boy as well, but I’m very excited to get to the holding camp now and some sun on my back.”

Plymouth Leander’s Laura Stephens settled for silver in the 200m Butterfly final as Wales’ Alys Thomas set a new Edinburgh International Meet record and the second fastest time in the Commonwealth this year on her way to gold.

Thomas clocked 2:07.54 while Team England swimmer Stephens finished in 2:10.00.

Newcastle’s world junior champion Emily Large, who will also compete for England on the Gold Coast, took bronze in 2:11.06.

Imogen Clark retains British 50m Breast title

Imogen Clark was crowned British champion as she clocked the second fastest 50m Breaststroke time in the Commonwealth this year.

Loughborough University swimmer Clark finished in 30.70, with training partner Sarah Vasey second in 30.93.

Clark said: “I’m happy with that – it was good to finish on a high. I love the 50m – I just switch off and get to the other end. It’s great fun.”

Tom Dean sets lifetime best for golden double

Tom Dean added the 400m Individual Medley title to the 200m crown he won Saturday.

Dean’s personal best time of 4:18.90 was almost five seconds ahead of Charlie Hutchison, who was second in a PB 4:23.37. Thomas Paine was third in 4.27.35.

“It was a great way to wrap up the competition – I’m really happy,” said Dean, who won silver over 400m IM and gold for 200m IM at last year’s European Juniors.

“I’m training and working hard and taking things one day at a time. This was a really important meet for me.

“Hopefully, I’ve got the European Championships coming up in July and I’m working on my progression into senior swimming.”