Canadian swimmer Josh Liendo won gold in the men's 100-metre butterfly final during day three [1] of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Canadian swimming, as Liendo secured the top podium spot in a highly competitive field while establishing a new benchmark for the event.

Competing in Glasgow, Scotland, Liendo finished the race in 50.42 seconds [2]. This time not only secured the gold medal but also broke the previous Commonwealth Games record previously held by Chad le Clos [3].

The finish was one of the closest in the competition. Liendo edged out Australian swimmer Matthew Temple by just 0.01 seconds [1] to take the win. The narrow margin highlights the intensity of the final sprint as both athletes pushed for the record-breaking time.

Liendo's performance on day three [1] cements his position as a leading force in the butterfly discipline. The event took place at the Glasgow Aquatics Centre, where the Canadian athlete managed to outperform the Australian contingent in a tightly contested race.

By surpassing the record set by le Clos, Liendo has elevated the standard for the 100-metre butterfly within the Commonwealth Games framework. The result provides Canada with a key victory early in the Games' schedule as the competition continues in Scotland.

“Josh Liendo finished the race in 50.42 seconds”

Liendo's record-breaking performance demonstrates a shift in the competitive landscape of the 100-metre butterfly, moving the benchmark beyond the previous era of dominance established by Chad le Clos. The razor-thin margin of victory over Matthew Temple underscores the increasing parity among elite Commonwealth swimmers, where gold medals are now decided by hundredths of a second.