Commonwealth Games - Ones to watch, day 1
Over the course of the games we will be publishing our chosen 'race and swimmer' to watch on each day. Keep posted on our website and our social media!
Men’s 200 Breaststroke - Ross Murdoch
2014 Winning time - 2.07.30, Ross Murdoch (Scotland)
World record - 2.06.67, Ippei Watanabe, 2.06.67 (Japan)
The men’s 200 Breast is one of the most contested events in the world, with most all major countries having many big hitters in this event, it always proves to be a great race. On paper the winner of the last Commonwealth Games, Ross Murdoch is the fastest in the field with his personal best still from the last games 4 years ago. Murdoch also proved to be on great form in the 200 last summer at the World Championships by getting back into the 2.07s after having a couple of seasons where Murdoch seemed to be performing better in the 100, it seems he is back and means business in the longer event.
Another swimmer that may challenge for the victory is Australia’s Matthew Wilson. Wilson will be one of the youngest swimmers contending for medals. After dropping a 2.08.31 at the Australian trials at only 19 years of age he seems to be in the running for the gold too, with the home crowd cheering him home down the last 50 who knows what could happen… it worked for Murdoch 4 years ago!
Of course there is also British Swimming legend Andrew Willis whose personal best from the Rio Olympics stands at a 2.07.73. His performance fell short of a medal at the games by a painful 0.08 and after failing to make the 2017 World Championships Team, we’re sure Willis will be back with a vengeance.
With Adam Peaty not contesting this event the field is safe from the blistering front end speed. Other people that may contest for medals is England’s James Wilby and Scotland’s Craig Benson. With Benson’s PB being a 2.09 and Wilby’s just slight over the 2.10 mark a big swim from one of these guys could get into one of the medal spots.
Who do you have nailed on for the victory? This could be a very exciting one to watch!
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