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Clareburt's dramatic comeback seals New Zealand's first gold at Glasgow 2026
Sport Nation • July 28th, 2026 8:38 am
Lewis Clareburt | Photo: Photosport
Kiwi swimmer Lewis Clareburt has won New Zealand's first gold medal of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, topping the podium in the men's 200m butterfly.
After a lethargic start, Clareburt produced a sensational comeback, battling from the back of the field to power home over the final 50m to claim the spoils.
The 27-year-old also produced a personal best with his time of 1:55.05, edging Australians Harrison Turner (1:55.38) and Matthew Temple (1:55.45).
"No words," Clareburt told TVNZ afterwards. "I felt like I could go through a brick wall at the end of that race.
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"I'm actually surprised at those splits. I felt like I was so slow out and just knew I would have enough left in the tank over the last 75.
"I never really hit the wall and had to rate up. There's no way I can redo that race again - it was stupid."
No sooner had the Wellingtonian touched home, New Zealand had another medal - with Erika Fairweather, Caitlin Deans, Eve Thomas, and Milana Tapper earning bronze in the women's 4 x 200m freestyle relay.
The results lift New Zealand to eighth on the medal table, with one gold, four silvers, and three bronzes.
