FINA WC Budapest 2017 Monday 07/24 – Triple gold as arena swimmers lay claim to the top of the Budapest podium

Sarah Sjostrom won her second gold in as many days in the 100m butterfly, Adam Peaty successfully attacked his 100m breaststroke title in the second fastest time in history and Katinka Hosszu claimed her third successive 200m individual medley crown on a golden night for arena swimmers at the World Championships in Budapest.

Sarah had broken the 100m freestyle world record on Monday, the Swede a pioneer as she became the first woman to swim inside 52 seconds.

She returned to the Duna Arena and threatened to set a second world record in the space of 24 hours before finishing 0.05secs outside the mark she established en-route to Olympic glory in Rio de Janeiro last year in 55.53secs, a championship record.

Sarah, who was mobbed by journalists afterwards, said: “I am very happy with this gold medal. I didn’t know what to expect today, I was a bit tired after my four races yesterday on the first day so it was hard to know how the feeling was today but, yeah. I was very excited before the race and I couldn’t wait to start.

“I wasn’t expecting to break the world record in the 100 fly. I know I was in the best (form) of my life last year in the Olympics but I haven’t really trained for the butterfly this year. I have been focusing more on the freestyle lately so I was surprised I was this close to the world record.”

Adam came into Budapest determined to attack rather than defend the world title he won in Kazan, Russia, two years ago, something he found all a bit too relaxed.

On Monday he was in another realm, no-one getting close to him as he won in 57.47, a championship record and a time only he has bettered.

He said: “It’s great to be out there and race the best in the world. I went out there with a lot of guts tonight. If you want to go 56 you’re going to have to do stuff you’ve never done before and I was out in a 26.5 – that was very, very easy. So tomorrow hopefully we’ll see something special, or the day after.”

The Hungarian crowd threatened to lift the roof off the Duna Arena when home favourite Katinka appeared.

She had won the 200m individual medley at the last two World Championships in Barcelona and Kazan.

On Monday she went off like a rocket and although her rivals closed slightly on the final length, they did not make any real inroads as Katinka won in 2:07.00.

Clearly moved by the reception of the Budapest crowd, she said: “I have been training in this pool since it opened, trying to imagine the crowd. You can’t be ready for such an amazing atmosphere. It is crazy!

“I have always dreamed of being an Olympic champion but today’s feeling, racing at home in front of this crowd, was different. I can’t compare it.”

She paid tribute to her husband and coach Shane Tusup, saying: “I wouldn’t be where I am without Shane. I was even ready to walk away from the sport before the London Games when we started working together. It is amazing to share all these moments with someone you really love.”