How Kai Taylor disarmed the Battle of Britain to claim 200m freestyle gold

What had been billed as a Battle of Britain instead became another emphatic demonstration of Australia's dominance in the Commonwealth Games pool.

With Olympic relay gold medallists James Guy , Matt Richards and Tom Dean all lining up for the men's 200 metre freestyle final, plus Jack McMillan – the reserve member of the Paris squad – the hope inside Tollcross Swimming Centre was that one of Britain's decorated quartet would come out on top. Instead, it was Australia's Kai Taylor who stole the show.

Drawn in the outside lane, Taylor attacked the race from the opening 50 metres and set a fearless pace that none of his rivals could match. While Guy and Richards closed relentlessly over the final 25 metres, the Australian never looked vulnerable, touching first to secure a surprise Commonwealth title.

Behind him, Guy and Richards shared silver after recording identical times in a frantic finish, while McMillan and Dean faded out of medal contention.

Kai Taylor, right, took home gold while James Guy, centre, and Matt Richards shared silver (Getty)

Scotland's Duncan Scott, perhaps the ​pre-race favourite and another member of Britain's Olympic relay-winning team in Paris, had not even made the final after an unexpected exit in the heats.

Guy and Richards, training partners and friends, embraced at the end but it was hardly jubilant.

Guy has fought his way back into elite freestyle form this season and, aged 30, may have just seen his last remaining hope of an individual Commonwealth Games gold medal slip through his fingers.

Ahmedabad 2030 feels a long way away.

Ironically, he was beaten by a swimmer who displayed the very tactics for which he is renowned for.

Guy, left, and Richards, training partners and friends, embraced at the end but it was hardly jubilant (Getty)

The man from Bolton has made a career out of setting a searing pace and then trying to hang on as best he can while the field comes back to him at the end.

It helped deliver him a World Championship in this discipline 11 years ago but here he was caught out.

"I saw at the halfway mark Kai Taylor was out in front. In those situations you want to stick to your plan. Fair play, he got his hand on the wall first," Guy said.

“Listen, I've tried that. I've done it so many times before. I go off like a rocket and then you die.

“When you're in the outside lane, that's probably the only way you can do it. You can't just sit back and wait. You have to go out and smoke it. That's what you'll see anyone do at a World Championships or Olympic Games.

“Kai had a great swim, got his hand on the wall first and his family's lovely. They were chatting to my mum and dad, so fair play to them.”

Kai Taylor stole the thunder of the Battle of Britain in Glasgow (Getty)

His silver brought up medal number 49 at senior championships, while Richards made Welsh history by becoming the first swimmer from the nation to win four medals at a single Games.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want more," said the 2023 world champion and Olympic silver medallist.

"I wanted a gold there but Kai was the better man tonight and that is sport. It's frustrating but it gives me something to target again in four years.

"The record is pretty special in itself. To walk away with two bronzes, two silvers from this game is incredible. As much as that one stings tonight, there's a lot of positives to take away this week.

"It's tough not to beat yourself up when you feel like you are capable of more. But it's been a phenomenal week and one that I've thoroughly enjoyed."

Richards made Welsh history by becoming the first swimmer from the nation to win four medals at a single Games (Getty)

It was an underwhelming result for a partisan crowd, with this the blue-riband event of the meet.

But like most of the 56 finals, the only colours on display at the end were green and gold.

This marked Australia’s 29th win of the week, their national anthem ringing in the ears of anyone who has been near Tollcross during the Games.

Taylor's win was one of the more surprising – this was his first ever individual gold. They won seven more to take their tally to 36.

There was some respite from Advance Australia Fair and some home nations success, as Angharad Evans announced herself as the new queen of Scottish swimming.

The 23-year-old completed a breaststroke double by adding the 200m crown to the 100m title she won earlier in the week, before playing a part in a 4x100m mixed medley relay silver.

“It's really surreal,” she said. “I didn't go into this meet expecting any sort of medal. I just wanted more experience and to put the demons to bed after a tough 2025, and I have done that, with the help of some medals. I'm really proud of myself.”

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