Clareburt wins again in Birmingham

Wellington swimmer Lewis Clareburt surprised himself with his second gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Lewis Clareburt
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

17 year old para-swimmer Joshua Willmer was the other New Zealander to win this morning.

After victory in his favoured event, the 400 medley yesterday, Clareburt lined up in the 200 butterfly this morning, a race he hadn’t initially intended to enter.

Clareburt had to come from behind to beat former Olympic and defending Commonwealth Games champion, Chad le Clos of South Africa with …. James Guy of England third.

He was fourth after 100 metres and third at the final turn.

“Surprising to be honest, I didn’t think that would happen tonight,” he said afterwards.

“I knew after the heat that I had a little bit more to give in the final 50.

“That’s the advantage of being in the middle (lane) I can see across the whole pool.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d win a gold medal (in the 200 butterfly), I didn’t qualify and just asked to be put in it.

It was even closer for Joshua Willmer in the SB8 100 breaststroke final.

He pipped Timothy Hodge of Australia as they both lunged for the wall, officially finishing 0.07 seconds ahead.

“I’m absolutely blown away, I stuck to my game plan, executed how I wanted to,” said Willmer.

“I knew in that last 25 I had to pump the arms and kick the legs, I didn’t really see him til the last five metres and I really hoping I had him.”

Meanwhile Tupou Neiufi was the silver medalist in the 100 backstroke S8.