‘I’m backed into a corner’: Peaty warns rivals he will fight back after shock loss

Adam Peaty has warned his opponents he is like a wounded lion ready to bite back in the 50m breaststroke final on Tuesday following his shock Commonwealth Games defeat in the 100m on Sunday.

The Olympic champion had only had two hours’ sleep on Sunday after finishing fourth behind his England teammate James Wilby – his first defeat over 100m since 2014. But he came back to win his heat on Monday morning and then his semi-final in the evening in 27.03sec, beating Wilby by 0.62sec.

Afterwards his only gripe appeared to be about the starter. “We were held for three seconds before the 100m and it’s been the same for the 50m,” he said. “They’ve either got to change that, or change the starter.” But when asked if a wounded Peaty was a dangerous one, he nodded. “Oh yeah, definitely,” he replied. “Back a lion into a corner and they are going to bite. I’m backed into a corner now.

“Maybe it’s God’s will to get to this point to have this real low because it is a real low. Obviously, it was a devastating night for me.

“I just couldn’t switch off because when you’re in defence mode, you’re asking yourself: ‘What’s gone wrong?’ That’s who I am. I’m always looking to see how I get better. I don’t come here for fourth or silver or bronze. That is why I am not happy.”

The Commonwealth Games 50m breaststroke title is the only competition that Peaty has never won. But the 27-year-old was given a reminder that he will not have things all his own way by the Australian Sam Williamson, who qualified fastest overall by winning the second semi-final in 27.01sec.

“It will probably be the last attempt at it,” said Peaty. “But I am not bothered. In the grand scheme of things it is about the Olympics in two years’ time. I am four weeks into my