Adam Peaty's rise from 'drunk in a field' to global swimming star

During London 2012, after Adam Peaty had missed out on Olympic selection by some distance, the then 17-year-old was checking the results on his phone and “getting drunk in a field” with friends.

From that moment on, he took the decision to put his social life on hold and become the superstar of breaststroke he is today.

He teamed up with the highly regarded British coach Mel Marshall, a former world No 1 who missed out on an Olympic medal in 2004, and Peaty has become one of the most dominant forces in world sport.

The Rio 2016 Olympic champion retained his world championship 100m title yesterday, setting a championship record in the process, and now owns the 10 fastest times ever in the event. How many sportspeople can match that? This morning, in the 50m heats, he destroyed his own world record.

Peaty’s work ethic, and Marshall’s ability to hone the Briton into a breaststroke powerhouse on starts, turns, physique and outright speed have been evident since 2015 when he first announced himself on the global stage at the World Championships in Kazan.

“He has come a long, long way and he continues to move forwards. I’m so proud of him,” Marshall said last night.

Following his exploits here at the Duna Arena, Peaty’s stock is set to rise further still. Breaststroke is revered in Japan thanks to Peaty’s hero, Kosuke Kitajima, who won an Olympic double in 2004 and 2008. Japanese media have been following Peaty’s every move here and it would be no surprise should he receive the kind of adulation reserved for Usain Bolt when the star from Uttoxeter arrives for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe but he is now one of swimming’s stars,” Peaty’s mum, Caroline, said. “He’s a fighter and doesn’t give up easily.”

Britain’s squad of youthful, buoyant swimmers have just had one of the team’s greatest 24 hours in World Championship history.

Peaty, who goes again tonight in the 50m breaststroke semi-finals, said: “We have a young team, renewed after Rio, so this is hopefully going to give them a bit of a push. So they don’t fear anyone and don’t fear any other country.”

In a 45-minute spell of sprint brilliance, Peaty swept to 100m glory before Ben Proud claimed a first global title with a thundering burst in the 50m butterfly. “Seeing Adam, he has really taken Britain a step forwards,” said Proud, who broke the British record and had to double-check the scoreboard. “It’s made it easier for that next person to go up and win gold. Britain’s a force to be reckoned with. I’m looking forward to seeing more people on the podium.”

Amid that double glory, Duncan Scott and James Guy qualified first and second fastest for tonight’s men’s 200m freestyle final.

Gold will be harder to achieve with China’s Sun Yang lurking menacingly in the mix. But Guy, who won the title in Kazan, can rely on Peaty’s words of wisdom. After Guy’s disappointing sixth place in the 400m freestyle on Sunday, Peaty told him to “just park it and move on”. Guy said: “That’s what I’ve done. The first day was rushed and tatty but now I feel comfortable. I will go out hard tonight.”

And that reflects the advice Peaty was given in Rio by head coach Bill Furniss: “Burn the boat.” He meant attack, with no chance of retreat. That will be Guy’s plan tonight.