Adam Ramsay-Peaty is set to face 18-year-old Filip Nowacki in the 100m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday. Ramsay-Peaty, widely regarded as the greatest breaststroker in the world, described the upcoming race as a "good scrap" against his "apprentice."
Nowacki is part of Ramsay-Peaty's AP Race program, an initiative established to develop the next generation of swimmers. The young talent has already begun to challenge Ramsay-Peaty's records, having broken the British junior record for the 100m breaststroke last year.
Despite Nowacki's progress, Ramsay-Peaty demonstrated his continued prowess in the semi-finals, building an early lead and holding off the youngster in the second length. "I saw his front wave, but at the same time that is what I train for," Ramsay-Peaty stated. "I know I am a sprinter. I know I can go out fast."
Nowacki, who competes for Jersey, is considered stronger in the 200m event, a distance Ramsay-Peaty does not compete in. When they spoke after the semi-final, the physical difference between the two swimmers was apparent, with Ramsay-Peaty towering over his younger rival. However, Nowacki expressed a confident outlook, admitting with a laugh when asked if he believed he could win, "Course I do." He quickly added, "No, I wish, I'm gonna give it my best shot."
Nowacki was only eight years old when Ramsay-Peaty first won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. Ramsay-Peaty went on to win his first Olympic title in Rio de Janeiro two years later. "Adam is a true role model in the sport," Nowacki said. "I grew up watching him race at Rio, Tokyo and Paris. To race him and not be a random competitor but give him a race is special to me."
Both swimmers are aiming for personal ambitions on Saturday. Ramsay-Peaty is seeking his 33rd major gold medal, having not stood atop a major podium since the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he won the 50m crown but lost his 100m title. He has spoken openly about a "self-destructive spiral" in his mental health following the Tokyo Olympics. A medal for Nowacki would mark Jersey's first at the Commonwealth Games in 36 years.
Australia's Sam Williamson, who won the first semi-final, is also a contender in the final. Ramsay-Peaty acknowledged the competitive field, stating, "It is going to be a good scrap, especially down that last 25m, and I do love a good scrap."