In a frenzy at the Sandwell Aquatics Center, Scotland's Duncan Scott defeated England's Tom Dean to win the 200m freestyle Commonwealth gold medal.
Scott defeated his close buddy in one minute 45.02 seconds before going on to win the medal in the 400m individual medley. Scott missed the World Championships in June because of Covid-19.
Ben Proud's triumph in the 50-meter butterfly event earlier on Saturday was a pleasure for English supporters in Birmingham.
Adam Peaty qualified first for the men's 100m breaststroke final in 59.02 seconds after recovering from a fractured foot.
Imogen Clark, a fellow countrywoman of Peaty, won silver in the 50m breaststroke before Stephen Clegg of Scotland did the same in the S13 50m freestyle.
Hannah Russell of England won silver in the para-swimming as well. She came in second place behind Australian Katja Dedekind, who broke the previous world record by 0.11 seconds with a time of 26.56 seconds.
On Saturday, the home team won a total of seven medals in the pool thanks to Brodie Williams' silver medal in the men's 100-meter backstroke and the victories of both relay teams.
In the women's 4x100m freestyle relay, Freya Anderson, Isabella Hindley, Abbie Wood, and Anna Hopkin came in last place, trailing Australia.
Lewis Burras, Jacob Whittle, James Guy, and Dean barely fell short of Australia in the men's equivalent.
Scott wins the race with a late effort.
Proud's early gold had already warmed up the Sandwell audience, but the noise level peaked just before the highly anticipated men's 200m freestyle final.
Dean, a crowd favorite, just increased the commotion by leaping up and down next to his blocks and slapping himself until his chest turned red.
In Tokyo, he had defeated Scott to win the Olympic gold, and when he turned first after the 100 meters, it appeared like he would do it once again.
On Saturday, Scott subjected himself to a tough schedule that included the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter freestyle, but he gave all in the first of the two competitions.
As the temperature rose, he turned around and sprinted past Dean before the 150-meter mark, hanging on to win by 0.39 seconds.
Scott then enjoyed performing Flower of Scotland on the stage while being joined by jubilant audience members.
The 25-year-old utilized his last energy to win bronze in the 400m individual medley, dangling over the lane rope in exhaustion at the conclusion of the race. In 2021, he became the first British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympics.
In that competition, Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand won the gold medal in a time that set a Commonwealth record (four minutes, 08.70 seconds). Scott came in second in 04:11.27.
Peaty does a concert.
As the fans exploded when his name was called prior to his semi-final, Peaty grinned wryly.
The two-time Olympic and Commonwealth 100-meter winner talked about how thrilled he was to compete in front of his own supporters and his two-year-old son George-Anderson.
At one point, Peaty led by a full body length, and his time of 59.02 seconds was 0.90 seconds faster than his time from the heats.
James Wilby of England, who won silver in the 200-meter event, qualified third quickest for the final in 59.85 seconds, with Friday night's gold medalist Zac Stubblety-Cook coming in second in 59.80 seconds.
Ross Murdoch, the 200-meter bronze medalist for Scotland, and Craig Benson both advanced to the Sunday final.
Peaty told the BBC that his times were "a tiny bit off," but that he still believed his performance was "not terrible for four weeks of preparation."
He said, "It's about helping other people." "I truly liked that. These people are brilliant. The home crowd is what it's all about."
'Emotional' Proud receives forgiveness
Proud made a joyous start to the evening possible by easily taking home England's first gold at the Sandwell in a time that set a new Commonwealth record for the 50-meter butterfly.
The 27-year-old claimed that his triumph left him feeling "emotional" because he was unable to defend his 2014 crown after being disqualified in 2018 for stepping on the blocks during the heats.
I entered this tournament and won gold eight years ago," he recalled.
"I felt like that was taken away from me four years ago. I promised myself that I would still be here in four years, and that has indeed occurred.
"It's been a difficult one; I didn't anticipate feeling so sentimental. My career and legacy are at stake; it's not simply another victory. I have devoted my life to it."
In the 50-meter breaststroke, Lara van Niekerk beat her own Commonwealth record, and the spectators felt they may win two golds in a row when Clark got out to a strong start.
The 19-year-old finished in 29.73 seconds, 0.29 seconds faster than Clark, while Chelsea Hodges of Australia won bronze.
Danielle Hill of Northern Ireland and Hopkin and Hindley of England each advanced to the 50-meter freestyle final, with Danielle Hill setting a new Irish and Northern Irish record time of 25.15 seconds.
Along with Wales' Medi Harris and England's Lauren Cox, Katie Shanahan, the 400m individual medley bronze medalist from Scotland, advanced to the 100m backstroke semifinals.
Emma McKeon tied the Commonwealth Games record of 10 gold medals, which is also held by fellow countrymen Ian Thorpe, Leisel Jones, and Susie O'Neill, after contributing to Australia's relay win.
The 28-year-old might have taken the lead on her alone, but Maggie Macneil of Canada won the 100m butterfly race in 56.36 seconds, breaking the previous Commonwealth record.
Social Plugin