PARIS: Nicolo Martinenghi stunned Adam Peaty to win the Olympic 100m breaststroke gold medal on Sunday, denying the British great a third consecutive title.
The Italian came home in lane seven to win by a fingertip in 59.03 seconds, with Peaty and American Nic Fink tied for second in 59.05.
China’s world champion Qin Haiyang led at the corner but dropped to seventh.
The shock win dashed Peaty’s hopes of matching American legend Michael Phelps as the only man to win three consecutive Olympic titles in the same event.
An emotional Peaty had tears in his eyes after the race but said they were by no means a sign of sadness.
“It’s not sad at all. I think anybody who does sports, I think if you’re willing to put yourself on the line every time, I think there’s no such thing as losing. I’m so happy the right man won,” he said.
“It could have gone either way, but honestly, it’s my sixth Olympic medal.
“And I think the 14-year-old who started on this crusade … six Olympic medals, three of them gold, still holds the world record in two events.
“You know, you can’t beat that. I think it broke me, this sport, but it also gave me life. It gave me everything that I am.”
The race was billed as a showdown between Peaty and Qin, the 200m world record holder.
With Peaty taking time out to deal with mental health issues, Qin swept all breaststroke gold medals at last year’s world championships.
But he arrived in Paris under a cloud, reportedly among 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the banned drug ahead of the Tokyo Games in a scandal that rocked the sport this year when it came to light.
Instead, Martinenghi, who won bronze in Tokyo, stole their glory.
“It’s amazing, it’s amazing, it was a dream come true,” the beaming Italian told reporters.
“I grew up with that goal in my mind, so to be an Olympic champion today is a dream come true next to Adam, one of my idols. I grew up with Adam, so I had family, girlfriend, friends, teammates before me, it’s crazy,” he added .
“When I touched the wall and saw a red light on the block, just one red light, I said ‘I’ve done it, it’s unbelievable’.”
The 24-year-old, with bleached blonde hair and a sparkly earring, said he had a long history with the seventh runway.
“That streak was good. It was amazing, my favorite streak, the coach told me this morning. I have a seven on my chain (around my neck), maybe that’s a sign?,” he added, before revealing why. the number selection. “When I was younger, I trained every day in lane seven, that’s why I have it,” he said.
