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Scott sets gold standard in Gwangju

A stunning performance from University of Stirling swimming sensation Duncan Scott helped Great Britain to win 4x100m medley gold at the World Championships in South Korea.

Scott, 22, was almost a half-second quicker than his competitors as he hunted down the USA and Russia on the final leg of the relay – leading the GB team to a European record of 3:28.10.

Scott swam the freestyle leg of the relay, following Luke Greenbank (backstroke), Adam Peaty (breaststroke), and James Guy (butterfly). At the final turn, he trailed by 0.84 seconds but managed to pull back the deficit by producing a split of 46.14s - the second fastest of all time.

The USA took silver (3:28.45) and Russia bronze (3:28.81), with the triumph marking the USA’s first ever defeat in this event at a World Championships.

Speaking after the win, Scott said: “I can’t say I thought I had that split in me. I’m sort of speechless I’ve been able to put that race together.

“The boys put me in position and I just used adrenaline to come home. It was great to dethrone the Americans — I’ve got to put that down as my best swim.”

Scott – who has now won a trio of world relay golds from successive championships – had taken bronze in the 200m freestyle earlier in the week – his first individual medal at the World Championships.

In what was a very close race, Lithuanian, Danas Rapšys touched home first but his celebration was short-lived as he was disqualified for a false start. Gold was therefore awarded to Sun Yang of China in 1:44.93, with Japan’s Katsuhiro Matsumoto winning silver in 1:45.22. Scott was promoted to bronze along with Russia’s Martin Malyutin as they both touched home in 1:45.63.

Speaking after that race, Scott said: “It is a big step forward knowing I can compete at the top level. I’ve done it at the Europeans and the Commonwealth Games, but never at the Worlds.

“My immediate reaction is thinking how I could have done better, but that’s just who I am. I’m sure once the emotions go out of it and in a couple of hour’s time, I’ll be feeling proud.”

Pic by British Swimming / Allan McKenzie / SWpix.com