Zac Stubblety-Cook has again shown why he remains among Australia’s leading breaststroke swimmers, advancing to the men’s 100m breaststroke final after a strong opening night at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Read: Olympic Champion Zac Stubblety-Cook to Represent Australia Again at Glasgow 2026
Long before Olympic medals and world titles, Stubblety-Cook began his swimming journey with the Water Ratz, a club based at Wellers Hill State School in Tarragindi. The Olympic champion has since developed into one of Australia’s most accomplished swimmers and now trains with Melbourne’s Nunawading Swimming Club as he continues his international career.
Competing in the opening session of the Games, Stubblety-Cook qualified fifth fastest overall for the men’s 100m breaststroke final after clocking 1:00.21 in the semi-finals.
His Australian teammate Sam Williamson progressed even quicker, recording 59.56 to qualify second behind England’s Adam Peaty, who led the field with 59.46. Jersey’s Filip Nowacki secured the third fastest time in 59.93, while South Africa’s Michael Houlie was fourth in 1:00.14. The result puts Stubblety-Cook into the final, where he is set to face a field led by Peaty, one of the sport’s most accomplished breaststroke swimmers.
The Glasgow campaign adds another chapter to an already distinguished career for the 27-year-old. Stubblety-Cook claimed Olympic gold in the 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games before earning silver in the same event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
His Olympic gold and silver medals have made him one of Australia’s most successful breaststroke swimmers of his generation.
His pathway from a local swimming club to international competition highlights the role community clubs can play in athlete development. The Water Ratz program at Wellers Hill State School has helped develop young swimmers for many years, with Stubblety-Cook among its best-known alumni.
Dolphins Dominate Opening Night
Australia’s Dolphins made an immediate impact during the first night of competition, collecting a series of strong performances across the pool.
Alex Perkins topped the qualifiers for the women’s 50m butterfly after posting the fastest semi-final time to book her place in the final.
Williamson’s sub-minute swim in the men’s 100m breaststroke also highlighted Australia’s strength in the event, giving the Dolphins two finalists alongside Stubblety-Cook.
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Elsewhere, several Australian swimmers progressed through to finals during the opening session, giving the Dolphins multiple medal opportunities as competition continued in Glasgow.
The opening session saw several established swimmers and emerging athletes advance to finals for Australia, providing a positive start to the team’s Commonwealth Games campaign.
Published 25-July-2026
