Three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty took bronze in the men’s 100m breaststroke at his first World Championships since 2019.

The 29-year-old Briton qualified fastest for the final in Doha with a time of 58.60 seconds but swam 59.10 in Monday’s race.

Peaty is using the event as preparation to go for a third successive Olympic 100m gold in Paris this summer.

“Now it’s about how we can fine-tune it for the Olympics,” said Peaty.

“I think I went a bit too hard on that opening 50 metres but it’s great to race against the best in the world and it’s good to be part of – massive well done to these guys it’s not an easy race.”

The world record-holder finished behind American Nic Fink (58.57) – who led from start to finish – and Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi (58.84) to claim his 11th world medal.

The Briton is competing at his first worlds in five years after taking breaks to deal with periods of depression and problems with alcohol.

Peaty became the first British swimmer to retain an Olympic title when he took gold in the 100m at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

He missed the 2022 World Championships because of a foot injury and was unavailable last year after stepping away from the sport to focus on his mental health, but told BBC Sport last week he was in a good place before the worlds in Doha.

Peaty is eyeing a return to the top of the podium at this summer’s Games in the French capital to add to his three Olympic golds, eight world titles, 17 European titles and four golds at the Commonwealth Games.

Fellow Briton James Wilby did not feature in the final after going out in the heats on Sunday.