Australian Dolphins Break Records at Commonwealth Games

Thursday, July 30, 2026, 7:59 am

A record was broken, but not by who we expected.

Before each swimming night at the Commonwealth Games, Australians check the schedule to see how many gold medals they might win.

On Tuesday, the Dolphins' all-time gold medal record was in danger, but they equalled it in the mixed 4x100m medley relay. On Wednesday, they broke the record, but who did it?

The women's 50m freestyle and men's 50m butterfly were the first events of the night.

The team won three gold medals in two events, with Kyle Chalmers and Ben Armbruster winning the 50m butterfly, and Meg Harris, Alex Perkins, and Shayna Jack sweeping the women's 50m freestyle podium.

Kyle Chalmers and Ben Armbruster tied for first place in the 50m butterfly.

But the first gold medal of the night went to someone else.

Kai Taylor won his first individual gold medal in the men's 200m freestyle.

Taylor was not expected to win, but he had swum well three days earlier.

We are past the halfway point of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the swimming program is ending.

After being a lead-off swimmer in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the Paris Olympics, Taylor anchored the final swim in Glasgow.

He entered the water behind England's Max Litchfield but caught up and won by 3.51 seconds.

On Wednesday, Taylor swam 1:47.23, two seconds slower than his personal best, and qualified in seventh place.

He was in lane one for the final and didn't seem to be doing well.

Taylor's mum, Hayley Lewis, was on teams with Kieren Perkins, who won gold from lane eight at the 1996 Olympics.

We should have known Taylor could win.

Kai Taylor is now an international individual medallist.

He said, 'If you've got a lane, you've got a chance.'

Taylor said he had a slow swim that morning but went into the final with no fear.

Unlike his relay swim, Taylor led the entire way and won.

Taylor's victory was followed by more Australian wins.

Lakeisha Patterson won her third Commonwealth crown in the 100m freestyle S9.

Patterson is 27 and has been swimming for a long time.

Australia expects to win a lot of gold medals in swimming.

The Australian athletics team had a great night.

Kyle Chalmers said Australians should appreciate this moment.

Chalmers said it's not normal for swimmers to win gold medals and break records every night.

Chalmers said the team inspires each other and has talented swimmers.

Chalmers debuted at the 2016 Olympics and won a gold medal.

Now, Chalmers is a veteran and thinking about retiring.

The swimming program is ending, and attention is turning to other sports.

The Australian team won 37 gold medals, 16 silver, and 23 bronze.

New swimmers emerged, and old champions won again.

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