Rio 2016: Adam Peaty wins gold to secure Team GB's first Olympic medal in 100m breaststroke

World record holder Peaty won the 100m breaststroke final to add to his world, European and Commonwealth championships

Adam Peaty poses with his 100m breaststroke gold medal (Getty)

British swimming sensation Adam Peaty smashed his way to Team GB’s first gold medal of the Rio Games on Sunday night when he blitzed the field in the 100m breaststroke to claim victory in a world record time of 57.13 seconds.

The 21-year-old was 100-1 on before the race, such was the confidence the bookmakers had in him claiming gold, and Peaty didn’t disappoint.

It was an amazing performance from the Uttoxeter swimmer who was roared home by the crowd – unless they were roaring for the two Brazilians in the field, Franca Felipe and Joao Gomes. The result was never in doubt – Peaty led from about 30 metres and powered away in the last 50m.

After he touched, Peaty, who is the first GB male gold medal winner in an Olympic pool since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988, punched the water, shook his head and mouthed “Oh, my God!”

Peaty had said before the race that “it just feels like my stroke is in the best place ever”. And he was in the best place ever shortly afterwards, on the middle of the winner’s podium.

Whilst there was disappointment in the pool on Saturday for the GB swimming team with James Guy coming up short in the 400m freestyle final and Hannah Miley agonisingly missing a medal in the 400m individual medley, Peaty’s gold means they have already eclipsed London 2012 in one way where they won just one silver and two bronze medals.

Earlier in the evening, Guy booked his place in Monday night’s 200m freestyle final , finishing third in his semi-final behind Conor Dwyer of the United States and Paul Biedermann of Germany. It wasn’t Guy’s most convincing swim but qualification was the primary aim.