In an thrilling completion, American swimmer Caeleb Dressel barely beat down Australia’s Kyle Chalmers to guarantee his first-ever individual Olympic gold medal.
The 24-year-old runner set an Olympic record in the bursting quick two-lap race, with a period of 47.02 seconds. Toward the end, he grinned and lifted two hands noticeable all around, taking in the commendation of his teammates at the Tokyo Aquatics Center.
Dressel has effectively won a gold medal in the 4×100 meter hand-off at these Olympics, and set up a significantly quicker time in the 100 meter today. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Dressel was essential for the gold medal winning relay group in a similar event.
He holds the world record in the 100 meter butterfly — a record he’s wanting to beat in Tokyo. That race’s last is on Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
It was a solid day in the pool for the U.S.
Individual Floridian Bobby Finke took gold in the 800 meter freestyle, the U.S. ladies including Katie Ledecky took silver in the 4×200 meter freestyle group hand-off, and Regan Smith and Hali Flickinger took silver and bronze in the 200 meter butterfly.
