Clareburt leads the way again

Lewis Clareburt made an impressive start as he sets out to defend his Commonwealth Games 400m individual medley crown.

Clareburt, who has already become one of the swim stars of the Games with gold and silver medals, won the 400m individual medly gold in Birmingham four years ago and in today's qualifying heat, he looked confident and quick.

He finished as fastest qualifier, with 4min 16.49s. Snapping at Clareburt's heels are a clutch

of Australian, English and Canadian champions, so the final promises to be a tough one.

Chief among the challengers will be Australian William Petric, who Clareburt, now based in Melbourne, knows well.

'We train together every day and have been racing each other all year,' said the New Zealander. 'Every race comes down to a fingertip. It should be a great final. I hope it is. I'm excited.'

Chelsey Edwarsds looked good in the explosive women's 50m freestyle. Her 25.02s was extremely competiive, and placed her fifth among the semi-finalists.

'I’m really happy with that swim,' she said. 'I’ve been sitting around that flat 25 second mark so to put it out in competition is pleasing.'

Zoe Pedersen will join Edwards in the semis. Pedersen swamr25.60s, making her the 12th qualified. There wasn't such good news for the third New Zealander in the event, Milana Tapper, who clocked 25.99s and ended up 17th, missing a semi-final spot by one place.

Cameron Gray missed out on a semi-final place in the 50m butterfly. Gray's 24.40s heat time placed him 19th overall with 16 progressing to the semis.