Australian 100m freestyle champion William Yang couldn’t have dreamt of a better start to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Day one of competition – GOLD! Day two of competition – GOLD!
The Sydney University Swimming Club and Elite Athlete Program member was a 4X100m mixed squad relay member that collected gold ahead of England (silver) and Canada (bronze) on the first night of competition.
Yang started things off before handing over to Kyle Chalmers, who swam a solid second leg to take the lead. He handed over to 18-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan, who maintained Australia’s advantage with a 52.62s split, before superstar Emma McKeon swam a brilliant 52.21s final leg to secure gold ahead of England (silver) and Canada (bronze).
Yang, who is studying for a Bachelor of Design in Architecture at the University of Sydney, claimed the national 100m freestyle title at the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide when he posted a 48.55s time to secure a berth for Birmingham.
It stood him in good stead when he teamed up with Zac Incerti, Flynn Southam and Kyle Chalmers to take gold in the men’s 100m freestyle on day two of competition.
Yang powered down the third leg to take the Australians into the lead before Chalmers clocked a 47.02s split to secure gold in 3:11.12 ahead of England (silver 3:11.73)) and Canada (bronze 3:13.01).
Yang has more golden chances in the 100m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke events later this week.
Stay up-to-date with how he and our 13 other athletes perform in Birmingham via our Athlete Tracker.
