Rio Olympics 2016: Adam Peaty Blasts His Way To Britain’s First Olympic Gold

Article originally published 08/08/2016: due to a technical issue this article may have resurfaced for some readers, and the original publish date may not have been visible.

Adam Peaty has blasted his way to Britain’s first Olympic gold medal in Rio - smashing the world record in the process and giving early risers in the UK good reason to have set their alarm clocks for 3am.

The 21-year-old from Uttoxeter won the 100m breaststroke in an astonishing 57.13 - beating the record he set a day earlier. For context, he was 1.5 seconds clear of his nearest rival, a huge difference.

Brits watching at home generated the #UpAtThreeForAdamPeaty, which started trending as just before his final - scheduled at 2.53am BST.

There was delight from all quarters after the two-lap triumph ...

... from fellow gold medal Olympians ...

... the rest of Team GB, who loved it ...

... and, most importantly, his family. Here’s #OlympicNan ...

... and his parents and girlfriend ...

Just minutes later, Team GB’s Jazz Carlin bagged a superb silver medal for in the 400 metres freestyle final. It already beats the country’s performance in the pool in London.

Here’s the Peaty triumph in pictures:

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.