For years, Adam Peaty has established himself as the undisputed king of breaststroke. A three-time Olympic champion, four-time medallist, and multiple-time world record holder, Peaty made history as the first swimmer to break the 58-second and later the 57-second barrier in the 100m breaststroke (56.88 seconds in 2019). His achievements in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 reshaped the standards of the discipline. However, as Peaty considers the end of his career, with his participation in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics still uncertain, a new generation of British swimmers is emerging. Among them, Oscar Bilbao seems poised to take up the mantle.
Noteworthy Performances
At just 17 years old, Oscar Bilbao has already caught the attention of the swimming world. At the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, he achieved a remarkable triple gold in the breaststroke events (50m, 100m, 200m), an achievement that mirrors the success of Chinese prodigy Qin Haiyang at the 2023 World Championships. Bilbao didn’t stop there, also claiming a gold medal in the mixed 4x100m relay, bringing his total to four gold medals – a rare feat only previously accomplished by British cyclist Hannah Barnes at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games.
His achievements earned him a spot at the University of Arizona in 2024, one of the best swimming programmes in the United States. Two of its swimmers – Léon Marchand, a quadruple Olympic champion, and Hubert Kos, the Olympic champion in the 200m backstroke – performed brilliantly at the Paris Games. His best performances converted to yards (the standard in the U.S.) would already place him in the top 10 in his age group at last season’s NCAA Swimming Championships. Trained at Hamilton Aquatics in Dubai, where he moved shortly after his birth in London, his move to the U.S. college circuit – the most competitive in the world, with multiple world and Olympic champions – could very well make him a star at the Los Angeles Games.
An Approach Echoing Adam Peaty
While Adam Peaty dominated his discipline for years, it was his unique approach to the sport that truly set him apart. His scientific approach, commitment to intense training, and mental resilience – including his recovery from depression during his career – have made him a model for swimmers of all ages. In addition to his rigorous physical training, Oscar Bilbao has quickly embraced the mental aspect of the sport, drawing inspiration from figures like David Goggins, the former Navy SEAL known for his resilience and athletic feats. Bilbao soon realised that success is not just about physical abilities, but also about mental preparation. His capacity to handle pressure and adapt to competitive environments has undoubtedly contributed to the successes he’s already enjoyed in his young career.
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