Peaty denied golden double

Adam Peaty was denied a golden double by the narrowest of margins as South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh won the 50m Breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games.

Peaty, who had already won gold in the 100m Breaststroke, had to settle for the silver medal as van der Burgh touched home 0.04 seconds quicker.

Van der Burgh clocked 26.58 with Peaty finishing in 26.62 to stun the Optus Aquatic Arena crowd.

England’s James Wilby claimed his third medal of the Commonwealth Games with a bronze after recording a time of 27.37.

Peaty said: “I’ve never had a 50m Commonwealth title. I’ve had the rest but not this one.

“I’m so happy for Cam. He’s put that work in and got the position right where he is enjoying the sport and is performing well.

“I was perhaps at 90 to 95 per cent but to win races like that, where it comes down to a very fine margin, I need to be 100 per cent. It’s just one of those things, it’s sport.

“Even though it’s silver, I’m more happy with that silver than I was with the gold the other day.  I know where I can improve now and where to get that performance from.

“It gives me a reality check. Even if I’m the best in the world and a world record holder, you can be beaten.”

Fourth for Greenbank and Hibbott

Luke Greenbank and Holly Hibbott both came agonisingly close to winning a bronze medal in the first two finals of the day.

Greenbank was fourth in the men’s 200 Backstroke final after finishing in 1:57.43. He was only 0.39 seconds behind Australia’s Josh Beaver, who took the bronze medal in 1:57.04.

And Hibbott saw an 800m Freestyle medal snatched from her grasp in the last few metres.

The 18-year-old held third place for much of the race but Australia’s Kiah Melverton touched home ahead of her to take the bronze.

Hibbott’s time of 8:29.05 was a new lifetime best and only 0.46 seconds behind Melverton, who clocked 8:28.59.

Proud sets new record

Ben Proud lowered his own Commonwealth Games record he set in the heats as he stormed to victory in the men’s 50m Freestyle semi-final.

Proud clocked 21.30 to reach Tuesday’s final where he will be joined by Tom Fannon, who finished joint third in 22.09 and David Cumberlidge who came fifth in 22.15.

“In the warm-up I felt really good so I thought I may as well hit a good one,” said Proud. “Being disqualified before has made me more determined to show what I can do in this event.

“I’m really clinging on to this last race to prove to the world that I am one of the top sprinters. Tomorrow night is a different day, I’ve got 24 hours to rest.

“I’d like to go faster but sometimes it doesn’t happen. Tomorrow night is more about getting that medal, retaining my title and if I can put together the perfect race and go a little faster I would be really happy.”