Adam Peaty and the Mixed Medley Relay quartet both won gold as the British swimming team surged to the top of the medal table on day four of the World Championships in Kazan.
Peaty added 50m Breaststroke gold to his 100m Breaststroke title from two days ago to become the second British swimmer in history to land two individual golds at a World Championships, emulating David Wilkie’s feat over 100m and 200m Breaststroke in Colombia 40 years ago.
The Brit then returned to the top of the podium with the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay quartet, combining with Chris Walker-Hebborn, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor and Francesca Halsall to set a world record and secure the British team their seventh medal of the Championships.
With James Guy having also won individual 200m Freestyle gold, the Brits are up to four swimming titles in Russia, having never won more than two golds in the pool at a previous Worlds.
Having set a world record to lead qualifiers from last night’s 50m Breaststroke semi-finals, Peaty was locked in a battle with South Africa’s two-time champion Cameron Van Der Burgh in the final as the pair powered clear from the middle two lanes.
Van Der Burgh finished second behind the Brit in the 100m Breaststroke two days ago and he was forced to settle for silver again as Peaty’s faster stroke rate saw him take the touch, 0.15 seconds clear of the South African.
“That was really good,” said Peaty. “I missed a couple of strokes but I just stayed on top of the water.
“It was just a race to touch the wall first and thankfully it was my day.
“I got the world record yesterday and secured the title today – I couldn’t really ask for more.”
The 20-year-old was celebrating his third gold – and another world record – at the end of the session as the Brits dominated the 4x100m Medley Relay final, being held for the first time at a World Championships.
Walker-Hebborn and Peaty put the Brits in pole position at the half way stage before O’Connor and Halsall strengthened their lead over second-placed USA, ultimately coming home 1.56 seconds clear in 3:41.71.
And while the Mixed Medley Relay won’t be contested at Rio 2016, Walker-Hebborn admitted he would like to see the event added to the Olympic schedule for Tokyo 2020.
“Some of the big countries entered really strong teams tonight and it was a big fight,” said Walker-Hebborn.
“It’s great to be sat in the call room with familiar male faces and familiar female faces. It definitely brings a different aspect to the competition.
“I think it’s an event which should keep on going and while we might not see it next year, I’d love it to be part of the programme at 2020.”
Halsall added: “That was Chris’ fifth 100m Backstroke in three days so to step up on his last one and swim faster than in his individual is just a credit to how much it means to be swimming together for the team.
“I think we all stepped up and did a great swim. To swim a world record and be world champion is incredible – it’s a nice way to start my week.”
Stephen Milne was the only other British finalist of the night, finishing seventh in the 800m Freestyle on his World Championship debut.
And the 21-year old, who finished fourth in the same event at last year’s European Championships, admitted his two swims had put him in good stead for the 1500m Freestyle later in the week.
“That was tough but it’s good to be with those competitors at a world class meet,” said Milne.
“I would have liked to go as fast as in the heat but I can focus now on the 1500m to come.
“I’ll think about my tactics in that and get ready for it. It’s on Saturday so I’ve got a couple of days to get fresh and I’ll do my best.”
Lauren Quigley and Daniel Wallace both made smooth progress from their semi-finals while Roberto Pavoni missed out in an agonisingly close swim-off.
Quigley finished fourth in her 50m Backstroke semi-final and qualify seventh fastest for tomorrow night’s final, having also finished seventh in the 100m Backstroke in Russia.
Meanwhile, competing in his first event of the Championships, Commonwealth silver medallist Wallace booked a spot in the 200m Individual Medley final, finishing second in his semi and fourth fastest overall.
Pavoni tied for eighth place after the 200m IM semi-finals and returned for a swim-off at the end of the session, missing out by just 0.08 seconds as USA’s Conor Dwyer sealed the final qualification spot.