Adam Peaty underlined his status as the most dominant breaststroke swimmer of all time as he cruised into the final of the 100m on the opening day of the World Swimming Championships in Budapest.

The 22-year-old became Britain’s first male Olympic gold medallist in 28 years in Rio, and is so far ahead of the field that he never even approached top gear while qualifying fastest for Monday’s final.

On the first day of a busy week Peaty romped to a Championship record time of 57.75, and he will be joined in the final by 2015 World bronze medallist Ross Murdoch, who qualified seventh.

And where previously Peaty had been tense when entering a major event, now that he has won everything there is to win at the sport, he is completely at ease.

He said: “It’s weird. In Rio and Kazan (2015) before that, I was quite nervous. It’s a completely different environment to what it is now, I’m ready for his environment, this is my home.

“It’s a very different mission to last year. That was getting the gold, getting the world record.

“This is more like starting to build that ladder to Tokyo again but at the same time, how far can the human body go so it’s not racing the best guys in the world, for me personally it’s how far can I take my body.”

James Guy, who won two relay silvers in Rio, had the chance to give Britain a first swimming medal in the pool after reaching the final of the 400m freestyle.

In the end however, he could only manage sixth, in a time of 3:45.58, and will instead turn his attentions to the 200m free which begins on Monday, and for which he is defending champion.

He said: “For what it was I came in and saw 3:45 and thought ‘Is that it?’ It felt ok, I wasn’t dying that much at all so I thought I’d go faster than that. It’s an ok swim.

“In the morning I felt really strong so hopefully I can deliver in the 200m.”

Guy’s University of Bath teammate Siobhan Marie O’Connor will be looking to add a world medal to the Olympic silver she picked up in Rio last year.

However, despite qualifying fourth fastest for the 200m individual medley final on Monday, she was keen to play down expectations.

She said: “I’m probably not in the shape I wanted to be or have been before but I’ve not put too much pressure on myself, and expectation. It’s about enjoying it.

“Sport is pretty relentless, and swimming is relentless, I’ve learned that a lot this year. I’ve enjoyed it, it’s such an amazing atmosphere, it’s an amazing pool; it’s so beautiful, I just wish I was swimming a little better.”

You can help the next generation of young British swimmers by getting involved in SportsAid Week this September with five-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds OBE. Find out more about how you can support the week of fun and fundraising by visiting www.sportsaid.org.uk/sportsaidweek.