ZAREK Wilson won his second medal of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games when he swam to a gold medal in the men's 100-metre butterfly final at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva on Tuesday.
Wilson, who took silver earlier in the meet, touched the wall in 53.70 seconds backed up by a vociferous crowd. He broke the previous meet record of 53.87 held by Lewis Fraser of Wales since 2017. Grabbing the silver medal was Nick Finch of England in 53.95 and South African Jarden Eaton took bronze in 54.41.
Wilson controlled the race as he led after 50m. Finch closed the gap in the final metres, but Wilson held on to win.
Wilson said Tuesday's gold is his most memorable moment in swimming. "I will definitely say the 100 fly that I just did. It was a personal best and I think I broke a record....I am very proud of myself."
Speaking more about the record, he said, "I was really happy and surprised when I looked at the board and saw JGR (junior games record)."
The crowd spurred him on. "They gave me so much motivation with the cheering. I just wanted to do my best and get a gold medal for them."
Wilson said he was determined to cop gold after getting silver in the men's 50m backstroke.
Nikoli Blackman (two gold) and Wilson now have two medals each at the games. Blackman was seen running alongside the pool on Tuesday cheering on Wilson.
"I am really glad he is here, " Wilson said. "He is very supportive and he pushes me. He is my best friend." Both Wilson and Blackman will be in the pool on Wednesday for the final night of swimming. They will have to put their friendship aside as they both compete in the men's 50m freestyle final at 6.35 pm.
In some other results on Tuesday, England swept the 100m breaststroke events. Sienna Robinson won the women's event in one minute, 10.29 seconds (1:10.29) and Oscar Bilbao took the men's race in 1:03.12.
The Australians continued to have a prolific showing in the pool as Inez Miller claimed the women's 400m freestyle in 4:14.97. Tyler Melbourne-Smith of Wales was the fastest in the men's 400m freestyle in 3:54.19.
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