Ben Proud booked himself into the Olympic final of the Men’s 50m Freestyle in a new British record time of 21.54.
He took to the pool in the second of the two semi-finals lining up against the fastest men on the planet, he touched third to stop the clock and lower his own British record further.
Proud’s new record time meant he qualified fifth fastest for the final and will go in search of the ultimate prize in sport tomorrow evening.
After the finals berth was secured Proud said, “It wasn’t really about the British record, it was just about getting my hand on the wall and getting that ticket for the final.
“Anything can happen in that final and the medals could come from anywhere. I think I’ve put myself in a great position. I didn’t execute my start the way I wanted to again, so I think there’s slightly more to come.
“It’s going to take a good 21.4 to medal. I don’t see why I can’t do that but it’s about doing it on the day.
“This is the hardest swim – just getting into the final. You never know what’s going to happen and it could go either way. It is going to be a good race against a good field.”
In the Women’s 200m Breaststroke final, Team GB had two swimmers in action after Molly Renshaw qualified in third and Chloe Tutton seventh.
In a close conclusion to the race, Tutton was nudged out of the medals in to fourth place and compatriot Renshaw ranked sixth overall.
Tutton said, “I’m happy with that time but being so close to a medal, you can’t help but be a little bit disappointed.
“I’ve got many more years to improve so hopefully that’s just experience that I can put under my belt and do a bit better in the future.
“I had no idea where I was in the race. I couldn’t see anybody so it was tough to see the scoreboard at the end and to see a fourth – so close, but never mind.
“I get in there and do my own race. It doesn’t really matter what lane I am in, as long as I had one.”
Daniel Wallace competed in the headline race of the finals session on day six of the Rio Olympics as he took the pool in the final of the Men’s 200m Individual Medley.
In a historic race that saw Phelps of the USA claim another gold medal, GB’s Wallace finished in eighth.
Wallace explained, “It was a pretty cool experience. I’ve always dreamed of swimming at the Olympics and being in a final like that.
“To swim alongside the guys I did was more than I could possibly have imagined. I didn’t think it was ever going to be possible for me but I knew that if I kept pursuing my dreams something like this could happen.
“I grew up watching [Ryan] Lochte and [Michael] Phelps racing each other. To still have them racing each other and pushing each other is something pretty special in the sport.
“To slowly make my way towards that standard is something I’ve been working on over the years. To race them and have them push me on is pretty special.
In the final race of the night, the Men’s 100m Butterfly, Team GB’s James Guy took to the pool. He lined up in the earlier of the two swims where he finished 14th overall.
Guy said, “It was a solid swim and it’s all about that medley relay now for me. I’m really excited for the relay.
“Obviously [Adam] Peaty’s on fire, Chris [Walker-Hebborn] is swimming
well and little Duncan Scott is swimming very, very fast so we’ve got a good
chance of a medal there which is quite nice.