Adam Ramsay-Peaty bronze at Commonwealth Games signals changing of guard

Adam Ramsay-Peaty will be the headline act in tonight’s 100m breaststroke final but keep an eye on Filip Nowacki from Jersey, who could give him a run for his money. 

A double world junior champion, 18-year-old Nowacki has long been identified as Ramsay-Peaty’s successor. He finished just 0.33 seconds behind Ramsay-Peaty in yesterday’s semi-final after chasing hard on his second 50m split.

“I’ve definitely got a bit of a scrap in me,” said Nowacki, who is bidding to end Jersey’s 36-year medal drought at a Commonwealth Games. “To be racing one of the best in the world – arguably the greatest breaststroker of all time – is very special to me. I’m confident, my training’s been progressing really well.” 

Already a world junior 100m and 200m breaststroke champion, Nowacki has long looked up to Ramsay-Peaty. “He’s a true role model in the sport,” he said. “Even in the call room before, he’s just so professional and so zoned in. Being one of the youngsters coming through, it’s very important to look up to people like that. Those senior athletes know what they’re doing. They’ve been in that position many times before and I think it’s important to keep an eye on what he does.”