'I love a good scrap' - Ramsay-Peaty ready for his apprentice

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Adam Ramsay-Peaty is the 100m breaststroke world record holder and two-time Olympic champion By Matthew Henry BBC Sport Journalist in Glasgow Published 24 July 2026 Sport is littered with moments when the baton is passed from one generation for the other. Steffi Graf toppled Martina Navratilova to win her first Grand Slam title on the clay of Paris in 1987 and Jason Kenny beat Chris Hoy to take the coveted sprint spot for Team GB at London 2012. It is less than a week since Lamine Yamal's Spain beat Lionel Messi's Argentina in another similar moment. For the youngster involved, it is straightforward: take a shot at the superstar. The renowned champion has to hold off a rival and time itself. Scott overcomes pressure and big pal Dean to give Scotland golden start Published 11 hours ago Horror injury overshadows gymnastics silver at Commonwealths Published 11 hours ago Adam Ramsay-Peaty becomes the latest to face the latter situation on Saturday - in the 100m breaststroke final at Glasgow's Commonwealth Games, shortly after 21:00 BST. The greatest breaststroker the world has seen is on his own journey - one which he hopes ends with a third individual gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in two years' time. Manoeuvring into his slipstream is 18-year-old Filip Nowacki. Master meet apprentice. Not only has Nowacki started to pick off Ramsay-Peaty's age-group records, he is part of the 31-year-old's AP Race stable - the programme set up to develop the next generation. Ramsay-Peaty has spoken of wanting to mentor and pass on advice to his young pretender. Last year, Nowacki repaid him by breaking his 100m breaststroke junior British record. Ramsay-Peaty, who is chasing a 33rd major gold of a glittering career, appeared in no mood to hand over the baton in Friday's semi-finals. There is uncertainty around a broken finger suffered in June but, side by side in lanes four and five, Ramsay-Peaty built an early lead and held off the youngster in the second length. Nowacki was close but never quite close enough. "I saw his front wave, but at the same time that is what I train for," Ramsay-Peaty said. "I know I am a sprinter. I know I can go out fast." Nowacki, who competes for Jersey here having learned to swim under the tutelage of Nathan Jegou on the Channel Island, is arguably best in the 200m event - a distance Ramsay-Peaty does not race. In this shorter contest, it is the youngster who should stay stronger for longer. And when they spoke afterwards alongside each other, Ramsay-Peaty, all chest and tattooed muscle, towered over his young rival - so much so you would be forgiven for thinking the pair compete in different sports. Nowacki appeared wary of Ramsay-Peaty but there is a cheeky confidence within. "Course I do," he laughed when asked if he believes he can win. "No, I wish, I'm gonna give it my best shot" was his quick addition. Nowacki was not long out of armbands when Ramsay-Peaty won gold in this same pool at the