The three super swimmers claimed their own gold medal in world record times

As predicted Sarah Sjostrom, Adam Peaty and Katie Ledecky won the gold medal in their respective event in a display of a devastating superiority, sealed with a world record. The three of them have pushed the limits - respectively in the 100m butterfly, the 100m breaststroke and the 400m freestyle - to unthinkable new heights.

The quality of the performances in the first two days at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium – six world record overall, three in each day – tells that the feared revolution in the time schedule – preliminaries at 1 pm, semifinals and finals at 10.00 pm – caused no harm at all.

Last night the first fireworks were lighted by Sarah Sjostrom. The Swedish swimmer won the 100m butterfly gold medal in a world record time, the fifth of his career, having set 2 at each of the 2009 and the 2015 World Championships. She won in a display of a perfect combination of power and style. Her time of 55.48 bettered her previous world record (55.64) by 0.16 seconds.


Sjostrom (SWE) ©Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia

Adam Peaty dominated the 100m breaststroke in a similar way,, displaying an easily predicted overwhelming superiority. The Briton touched in 57.13 (26.61), improving on his previous world record set in the preliminaries by almost half a second (42 hundredth ). South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh, 28, did an egregious job and managed to survive on the podium, wearing the silver medal with the time of 58.69, (close to his winning time of four years ago, 58.46), ahead of American Cody Miller (58.87).


Peaty (GBR)

The most stunning performance was probably that of Katie Ledecky. The 19-year old American could not care less of her opponents in the water as she was focused exclusively in the fight against the clock. She swam the whole race under her previous world record splits and touched the final wall in 3:56.46, well under her previous world mark of 3:58.37. This was the third world record set by Ledecky in this event. Ledecky has managed this feat thanks to her improved speed in this year, which is demonstrated also by her improved personal best time in the 200m freestyle, another event she will swim here, along with the 4x200m freestyle relay.


Ledecky (USA)

The second day was concluded on a high note with the victory of the United States team in the 4x100m freestyle relay, mostly thanks to a great performance of Michael Phelps: the most decorated Olympian swam the second leg in a fast time, 47.12, giving his team a solid lead which allowed his mates Ryan Held and Nathan Adrian to bring home victory. Through this win Phelps enhanced his leadership as the most medal winner at the Olympics, in all sport. He has now 23, of 19 gold. And a rosee perspective for the next days.

Take a look at Day 2 in 10 cliks HERE