Daily Archives: April 13, 2016

Sports Swimming

SA Olympic Trials: Day 4: 13 April 2016

April 13, 2016 Published by: Cresi Heslop

Media Statement by Swimming South Africa

Durban, Wednesday, 13^th April 2016 – Mzansi’s swimmers were once again unstoppable as they continued on their quest for Olympic and Paralympic Qualifying Times on the fourth day of the SA National Aquatic Championships at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

Olympian Chad le Clos took the honors in the final of the 200m butterfly, while confirming his Olympic Qualification time with a quick 1:55.04, followed by Sebastien Rousseau in 1:57.38 and Dylan Bosch in 1:58.18.

There was plenty of action in the 200m breaststroke as Cameron van der Burgh clocked yet another Olympic Qualification time today when he swam a time of 2:11.10, while Jarred Crous and Ayrton Sweeney ended second and third in 2:12.47 and 2:13.38 respectively. The final of the race will take place tomorrow.

The semi-finals of the 100m freestyle saw Douglas Erasmus top the group in 49.85, followed by Caydon Muller in 49.90. Erasmus and Muller will be striving for a faster time in tomorrow’s final to clock the 48.99 requirement for the Rio Olympic Games.

In the 200m butterfly semi-finals, it was Rene Warnes who touched the wall first in 2:13.85, while Marlie Jacob and Taryn Els finished a close second and third in 2:22.13 and 2:23.18, respectively. The final of the event will be held tomorrow.

Karin Prinsloo won the 200m freestyle final in 1:59.86, over four seconds ahead of Kristin Bellingan in 2:04.13 and Caitlin Kat in 2:04.40, while the 200m individual medley gold went to Marlies Ross in 2:17.47 ahead of Gabi Grobler in 2:19.05 and Kirsty McLauchlan in 2:20.38.

In the multi-disability section, Alani Ferreira (S13) walked away with her fourth Paralympic Qualification time and third African Record, this time in the 100m butterfly, clocking 1:23.37. Ferreira once again broke Marike Naude’s 2011 time of 1:25.91.

Achmat Hassiem (S10) swam to a Paralympic Qualification time of 1:00.44 in the 100m butterfly heats session but just missed out on confirming that time when he finished the finals of the event with a golden 1:00.59 to the set 1:00.47. The silver medal went to Jared Burger in 1:09.20 and the bronze to Jean Pretorius in 1:12.80.

Aaron Putz claimed the gold in the S14 and S15 100m butterfly in 1:11.38 ahead of Sean O’Neil in 1:41.01, while on the ladies side, Cornell Loubser (S15) won her respective race in 1:07.40 with Christelle Kriel coming in second in 1:17.16.

The day 05 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h30 daily.

The staging of this event has been made possible through the support provided by Swimming SA partners, Sport and Recreation South Africa, SASCOC, National Lotteries Commission, Arena, Rand Water and the SABC.

Olympic Qualifying Times following Day 04:

Sebastien Rousseau – 400m individual medley – 4:14.75
Michael Meyer – 400m individual medley – 4:15.71
Myles Brown – 400m freestyle – 3:48.86
Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.66
Cameron van der Burgh – 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:11.10
Christopher Reid – 100m backstroke – 54.02
Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:47.75
Chad le Clos – 200m butterfly – 1:55.04

Paralympic Qualifying Times following Day 04:

Kevin Paul (SM10) – 200m individual medley – 2:15.78
Kevin Paul (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:05.10
Johann van Heerden (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.64
Alani Ferreira (SM13) – 200m individual medley – 2:50.43
Alani Ferreira (S13) – 400m freestyle – 5:21.00 (heats)
Alani Ferreira (SB13) – 100m breaststroke – 1:26.90
Alani Ferreira (S13) – 100m butterfly – 1:23.37
Emily Gray (S9) – 400m freestyle – 5:05.36 (heats)
Emily Gray (S10) – 100m backstroke – 1:17.17
Craig Groenewald (SB14) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.33
Hendri Herbst (S11) – 100m backstroke – 1:16.84
Shireen Sapiro (S10) – 100m backstroke – 1:11.87
Achmat Hassiem (S10) – 100m butterfly – 1:00.44 (heats)

*SF – Semi-Final

Images credits: Heslop Sports

Home Olympics 2016 Rio Proudly South African Sports Swimming

SA Olympic Trials: Day 3: 12 April 2016

April 13, 2016 Published by: Cresi Heslop

Media Statement by Swimming South Africa

Durban, Tuesday, 12^th April 2016 – Chad le Clos led the way as the Olympic and Paralympic Qualification short list continued to grow on the third night of swimming action at the SA National Aquatic Championships at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

It was a close finish between Chad le Clos and Myles Brown in the final of the 200m freestyle. Le Clos came out on top and confirmed his Olympic Qualification time with a golden 1:47.75, while the silver medal went to Brown in 1:48.29 and the bronze to Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash in 1:48.34.

Le Clos’s second Olympic Qualification time came in the 200m butterfly semi-finals, where he led the pack from start to finish and posted a fast 1:55.61, to the required 1:56.97, while Sebastien Rousseau was a close second in 1:57.60. The final of the event will take place tomorrow.

The phenomenal performances continued with Christopher Reid, who raced to the gold and an Olympic qualification time of 54.02 in the 100m backstroke finals, followed by Zane Waddell in 56.09 and Jacques van Wyk in 56.25.

The 200m individual medley semi-finals saw Marlies Ross, Kirsty McLauchlan and Gabi Grobler take the top three positions in 2:16.17, 2:19.29 and 2:21.61, respectively. The final will be held tomorrow.

Karin Prinsloo came one step closer to making the Olympic Qualifying Time of 1:58.96 in the 200m freestyle, when she won the semi-finals this evening in 2:00.96 ahead of Kristin Bellingan in 2:04.98 and Caitlin Kat in 2:05.59.

In the 100m backstroke final, Mariella Venter walked away with the title in 1:01.32, with Nathania van Niekerk in second, clocking 1:02.41 and Jessica Ashley-Cooper third in 1:02.46, while the 100m breaststroke gold was claimed by Tatjana Schoenmaker in 1:09.17 ahead of Franko Jonker in 1:09.24 and Tara Nicholas in 1:09.30.

With five athletes having already swum eight Paralympic Qualifying Times to date, Shireen Sapiro (S10) and Emily Gray (S9) added their names on the short list to Rio by improving on their heat times to finish the 100m backstroke in 1:11.87 and 1:17.17, dipping under the set 1:13.40 and 1:17.70, respectively.

Hendri Herbst posted his first Paralympic Qualification time in the S11 100m backstroke, claiming the gold in 1:16.84, while Craig Groenewald won the S14 and S15 event in 1:09.50, with Aaron Putz coming in second in 1:11.39 and Challis Wright third in 1:11.66.

Christelle Kriel just missed out on the Paralympic Qualification time in the S14 and S15 100m backstroke, when she finished with a time of 1:16.40 to the required 1:16.23, while Michaela Kretzen took the silver in 1:26.18 and Maritza Snyders the bronze in 1:31.36.

The day 04 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h30 daily.

Olympic Qualifying Times following Day 03:

Sebastien Rousseau – 400m individual medley – 4:14.75
Michael Meyer – 400m individual medley – 4:15.71
Myles Brown – 400m freestyle – 3:48.86
Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.66
Christopher Reid – 100m backstroke – 54.02
Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:47.75
Chad le Clos – 200m butterfly (SF) – 1:55.61

Paralympic Qualifying Times following Day 03:

Kevin Paul (SM10) – 200m individual medley – 2:15.78
Kevin Paul (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:05.10
Johann van Heerden (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.64
Alani Ferreira (SM13) – 200m individual medley – 2:50.43
Alani Ferreira (S13) – 400m freestyle – 5:21.00 (heats)
Alani Ferreira (SB13) – 100m breaststroke – 1:26.90
Emily Gray (S9) – 400m freestyle – 5:05.36 (heats)
Emily Gray (S10) – 100m backstroke – 1:17.17
Craig Groenewald (SB14) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.33
Hendri Herbst (S11) – 100m backstroke – 1:16.84
Shireen Sapiro (S10) – 100m backstroke – 1:11.87

Home Olympics 2016 Rio Proudly South African Sports Swimming

SA Olympic Trials: Day 2

April 13, 2016 Published by: Cresi Heslop

Media Statement by Swimming South Africa

Durban, Monday, 11^th April 2016 – The Olympic and Paralympic Qualification times continued to tumble in, while Alani Ferreira broke another Africa Record on the second day of the SA National Aquatic Championships at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

Cameron van der Burgh brought the crowd to their feet when he confirmed his Olympic Qualification Time in the 100m breaststroke final, winning the race in a golden 59.66. Jarred Crous claimed the silver in 1:01.10 and Craig Emslie the bronze in 1:02.33.

Chad le Clos sprinted to a thrilling finish in the semi-finals of the 200m freestyle, clocking his first Olympic Qualifying Time of the Championships in 1:47.88, while Myles Brown and Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash were close behind in 1:48.05 and 1:48.66 respectively. The final for race will be held tomorrow.

Christopher Reid took the 100m backstroke semi-finals by storm, racing ahead of the pack with an Olympic Qualification time of 53.23, over two seconds ahead of Jacques van Wyk in 55.93 and Ricky Ellis in 55.97. The final of the event will be held tomorrow.

Mariella Venter, Jessica Ashley-Cooper and Nathania van Niekerk topped the 100m backstroke semi-finals in 1:00.97, 1:02.36 and 1:02.69 respectively, closing in on the Olympic requirement of 1:00.25, while in the 100m breaststroke semi-finals Tara Nicholas was fastest in 1:08.68 ahead of Tatjana Schoenmaker in 1:08.72 and Franco Jonker in 1:08.79.

Both race finals will take place tomorrow.

The gold in the 100m butterfly went to Marne Erasmus in 59.92, while Vanessa Mohr grabbed the silver in 1:00.34 and Rene Warnes the bronze in 1:01.48, as Caitlin Kat was victorious in the 400m freestyle in 4:20.19 ahead of Kristin Bellingan in 4:20.38 and Kate Beavon in 4:23.26.

Six Paralympic Qualifying times were added to the list when Craig Groenewald posted 1:12.33 in the SB14 100m breaststroke race, while Kevin Paul (SB9) and Johann van Heerden (SB9) made the time in 1:05.10 and 1:12.64 respectively.

Alani Ferreira (SB13) bettered her heats time by over three seconds when she touched the wall with a Paralympic Qualification time of 1:26.90 in the 100m breaststroke and added the 400m freestyle to her list when she finished with a new African Record and Paralympic qualification time of 5:21.00 during the morning heats session.

The previous record was held by Marike Naude and stood at 5:21.81 from 2011.

Emily Gray (S9) also swam the 400m freestyle heats and raced to a Paralympic qualification time of 5:05.36.

In the S14 and S15 100m breaststroke multi-disability event, the gold medal was claimed by Maritza Snyder in 1:41.82 ahead of Michaela Kretzen in 1:48.97 and Cornelia Fowler in 1:50.74.

The day 03 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h30 daily.

The staging of this event has been made possible through the support provided by Swimming SA partners, Sport and Recreation South Africa, SASCOC, Arena, Rand Water and the National Lotteries Commission.

Olympic Qualifying Times following Day 02:

Sebastien Rousseau – 400m individual medley – 4:14.75
Michael Meyer – 400m individual medley – 4:15.71
Myles Brown – 400m freestyle – 3:48.86
Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.66
Christopher Reid – 100m backstroke (SF) – 53.23
Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:47.88

Paralympic Qualifying Times following Day 02:

Kevin Paul (SM10) – 200m individual medley – 2:15.78
Kevin Paul (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:05.10
Johann van Heerden (SB9) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.64
Alani Ferreira (SM13) – 200m individual medley – 2:50.43
Alani Ferreira (S13) – 400m freestyle – 5:21.00 (heats)
Alani Ferreira (SB13) – 100m breaststroke – 1:26.90
Emily Gray (S9) – 400m freestyle – 5:05.36 (heats)
Craig Groenewald (SB14) – 100m breaststroke – 1:12.33

*SF – Semi-Final

Home Olympics 2016 Rio Proudly South African Sports Swimming

SA Olympic Trials: Day 1

April 13, 2016 Published by: Cresi Heslop

Media Statement by Swimming South Africa

Mzansi’s swim stars penciled their names in for the Rio Olympic team short list after producing spectacular performances on the opening night of the SA National Aquatic Championships held at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

The phenomenal spectator support added to the electric atmosphere as a new African Record, four Olympic and two Paralympic qualification times were posted.

Sebastien Rousseau and Michael Meyer dominated the 400m individual medley with SA’s first two Olympic qualification times of the competition.

Rousseau’s time of 4:14.75 edged out Meyer’s 4:15.71, both dipping under the required 4:16.71, while Ayrton Sweeney won the bronze in 4:24.48.

In the tightly contested 400m freestyle, Myles Brown came from behind to scoop the gold with an Olympic qualification time of 3:48.86, just 0.07sec ahead of Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash in 3:48.93, both going under the set 3:50.40, with Brent Szurdoki winning the bronze in 3:52.34.

Cameron van der Burgh did not disappoint in the 100m breaststroke semi-finals.

Van der Burgh, who holds the Olympic gold in the event, raced ahead of the pack in an Olympic qualification time of 59.69, with Jarred Crous coming in a close second in 1:00.88, just under 0.31secs of the 1:00.57 requirement. The final of the event will be held tomorrow.

In the 100m butterfly semi-finals, Marne Erasmus, Vanessa Mohr and Jessica Ashley-Cooper took the top three positions for tomorrow night’s final in 1:00.16, 1:00.71 and 1:01.11 respectively, while the gold in the 400m individual medley final went to Marlies Ross in 4:50.26, the silver to Kirsty McLauchlan in 4:53.98 and the bronze to youngster Rebecca Meder in 4:57.06.

A strong Paralympian contingent will be expected at the Rio Paralympic Games after an outstanding performance where two Qualifying times and an African Record were clocked tonight.

Kevin Paul (SM10) was first to race to a Paralympic qualification time in the 200m individual medley, winning the event in 2:15.78, to the required 2:17.20, with Johann van Heerden finishing second in 2:28.22 and Jean Pretorius third in 2:33.84.

Alani Ferreira (SM13) was next in the water, also in the 200m individual medley, clocking a new African Record and setting a Paralympic qualification time of 2:50.43, over two seconds under the 2:52.27 standard and taking just under eight seconds off Marike Naude’s 2011 record time of 2:58.10.

Shannon Martins won the silver in 3:26.95 and Michelle Bloem the bronze in 3:26.97.

In the S14 and S15 multi-disability 200m individual medley, Challis Wright claimed the gold in 2:25.46 ahead of Aaron Putz in 2:30.16 and Raymond de Freitas in 2:38.94, while on the ladies side, Christelle Kriel came first in 2:47.07, Michaela Kretzen was second in 3:04.87 and Cornelia Fowler third in 3:36.18.

In the B Finals, Christoff Ras was first in the 400m individual medley in 4:39.02, while Andrew Brown came in second with a time of 4:40.82 and Luke Erwee third in 4:42.67. In the 400m freestyle, Reynier Pretorius took the gold in 4:06.54 while the silver and bronze went to Dayne Wilson (4:06.92) and Erwee (4:09.50).

Marne Frylinck was first in the 400m individual medley B Final in 5:06.85, Hanim Abrahams took the silver in 5:07.03 and Robyn Kinghorn the bronze in 5:11.36.

The day 02 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h30 daily.

Olympic Qualifying Times following Day 01:

Sebastien Rousseau – 400m individual medley – 4:14.75
Michael Meyer – 400m individual medley – 4:15.71
Myles Brown – 400m freestyle – 3:48.86
Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke (SF) – 59.69

Paralympic Qualifying Times following Day 01:

Kevin Paul (SM10) – 200m individual medley – 2:15.78
Alani Ferreira (SM13) – 200m individual medley – 2:50.43

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address
Photos

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. 26 July 2014. Commonwealth Games, swimming Day Three. Chad le Clos, gold medal and Sebastion Rousseau, bronze medal in the 100m fly. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Irvette van Zyl . Picture: BACKPAGEPIX

The moment when Crous realised he’d just beaten the qualifying time for the Rio Olympics! Photo Credit / Anesh Debiky/Swim SA

Meeting Elvis Blue at his concert after first swimming an NTS Age Group Gala

Ready, Steady, GO!!

Myles Brown

Rene’s dad – Ian

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 18: Jonathan Draai of Eastern Province during the match between Eastern Province vs South Western Districts at NMMU B during day 3 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week on December 18, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Two Champions – Michael with Sissy Michaela

On top of my swimming I always like to be active, so I really enjoy my surfing and golf.

Jonathan

I try to plan my days really meticulously and stick close to that plan. It helps to put everything into perspective.

Proudly Team Gauteng

Football

Joining Karin for sponsor duty

Michael with dad in the beautiful Drakensberg

Ready

Durban South Africa – December Saturday 19th, GV during the 2015 KZN Premier Championships. KINGS PARK POOL COMPLEX – MASABALALA YENGWA AVE -DURBAN,Saturday 19th December till Sunday 20st December 2015.(Photo by Steve Haag)images for social media must have consent from Steve Haag

Medals and trophys

Karin looking all relaxed

Matric Dance 2015

Underwater fun!

Travelling put me in many different environments, and that made me even want to train much harder.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”.

Power Start

Read for take off!

He is a grade 11 student at Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town. Lucky guy, with the sea and beautiful Table Mountain to urge him on!

100m back stroke medalist

Calvyn Justus

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent South Africa at the Common Wealth Games and Youth Olympics last year.

Which athlete/ athletes inspire you? The Awesome Foursome – Ryk Neethling, Roland Schoeman, Darian Townsend, Lyndon Ferns – who won gold in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. These guys proved to me at a young age that South African swimmers could go and compete with the best in the world and come out victorious!

MAMMA I MADE IT: Matthew Meyer swam a qualifying time to represent SA in the 1500m at the Rio Games during the SA National Aquatic Champs at the weekend Image by: Supplied

Michael is very fond of Achmat and they are now GoPro buddies.

Heslop Sports

“…a girl that have had the opportunity to represent South Africa at the World Championships, Youth Olympics and Common Wealth Games through the guidance of my coach Igor Omeltchenko”.

GABORONE, BOTSWANA. 28 MAY 2014. African Youth Games which take place in Gaborone from 22 May until 31 May. Athletics. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Karin and I being interviewed by Speedo

NTS Champs 2014

I love rocking my heels and modeling when no one is around to see.

Perfection

Getting ready for 100m back final

About Hard Times: “Fall down 7 times get up 8!! Always do what makes you happy and if you have a passion for that sport and love it, it will make those difficult patches a lot easier to handle”.

As the years progressed I have gone to places like Scotland, Spain, France, Netherlands, Dubai, Australia and China competing with the best athletes in the world.

Cameronvd Burgh 4 and Jarred Crous 5, both set Olympic qualifying times ine 20m breaststroke.

Michael Phelps & Michael

Carissa and Mom Speedo Prestige July 2013 1st SA Nationals Record 50m backstroke

Take your marks

100m back podium photo

True Leader: Head Girl 2015

Myles Olympic Trials

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympic. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

My biggest challenge is to make it to the big Olympics one day…and because of that I’m training and giving my all to achieve that.

Matthew Meyer

There is a huge sense of pride when you get to represent the people of South Africa, especially when you see the flag on your swimming cap before you go out to race.

My sister and I with Karin returning from London 2012

My highest accolade was when I went to the World Junior Champs in the USA for the long jump and Ethiopia where I competed against the Commonwealth winner, and still got a silver medal.

My name is Devon Myles William Brown, but most people know me as Myles. The reason for this is that it is a family tradition that the first-born son of each generation is called by their second name as well as taking the name William.

A day at the beach in SA

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Fun loving guy

Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given “swim for you and for no one else”.

Podium photo 4 x 100m Medley relay

I love Kansas, I love our home in Kansas, and I love the fact that I’m so blessed to have a pool in my back yard to be able to do what I love.

Karin in full flight

Podium photo 100m back

Ruan Tweeted: “Tuks Olympian and role model to many @PrinslooKarin crowded by excited young swimmers for her autograph #inspiration”.

Karin with Coach Igor Omeltchenko

Zane Waddell prior to the Men 100m long course backstroke finals at the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 in Durban. PHOTO: STEVE HAAG

Devon Myles William Brown, is on a roll, on an unstoppable siege as he takes the world by storm.

I have learned how to stay focused, how to communicate with people speaking different languages and manage long periods of time without my family.

Douglas Erasmus in the Men 100m Freestyle Semi Finals during day 4 of the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 at Kings Park Aquatic Centre on April 13, 2016 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

Awards received at the 2015 NTS Gala Evening

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympics. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Steady

Proudly team Gauteng

René Kalmer Foto: GETTY IMAGES

Quiet moment of contemplation.

Advertise on Heslop Sports

Supporting Team Gauteng

Jarred Crous

Getting to practice with Penny’s medals!

Michael in his 3 stripes.

Fun with good friendies

Football

Grecia – Olimpia – 21/04/2016 – REVEZAMENTO DA TOCHA OLIMPICA RIO 2016 – Cerimônia de acendimento da Chama Olímpica Rio 2016 e início do revezamento grego no sítio arqueológico do Templo de Hera. Na foto, o segundo condutor do revezamento grego, Giovane Gávio. Foto: Rio2016/Andre Luiz Mello

Sisterly love.

Ruan Ras: A true Youth Sports Ambassador.

Michael in full flight

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Terug Spele toe? René Kalmer hardloop vier jaar gelede in die marathon op die Olimpiese Spele in Londen verby die Olimpiese ringe wat op die pad geverf is. Sy en Irvette van Zyl hoop om Sondag in die Londen-marathon weer vir die Spele te kwalifiseer.Foto: AP

Having faith in who God is, is one of the biggest things you could ever do. Always believe that you are a conqueror and with God everything is possible.

Gone!

What Next for Carla: “To be better than what I was the last time and to prove to those who said I wouldn’t make it that I’m strong enough to do better”.

Irvette van Zyl Foto: DEAAN VIVIER

Ultimately I am working towards next year’s Olympic Games and hopefully my dream will become a reality.

SA Champion Medalists.

Champion by land and by water

Matthew Meyer Olympic Trials

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent my country at high level World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

The Olympic Flag flies in front of “Christ the Redeemer” statue during a blessing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro August 19, 2012. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Karin doing her brilliant backstroke thing

Life’s awesome and if I live in a bubble, it’s a bubble I wish a lot of people could enjoy with me!

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

As a younger champ

Champion swimmer.

Proud champion.

Swimming mates

Travelling outside SA has also made me appreciate our beautiful country as well as and everyone back at home.

I have been swimming for the past 15 years and have loved every minute of it, even during the extremely tough and difficult phases.

Rachel with Coach Gerhard Zandberg

This is possibly the most important part of an athlete’s career. This is when you need to have all the self belief in yourself and what you are doing, and with this self belief you will be able to rise from any “difficult patch”.

Carissa and Dune at OR Tombo 1st International Tour

Ready for take off

Right now, all my energy is focused on my training and keeping my body in the best shape possible for the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August. This in turn is preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio next year.

Smile for the Paparazzi

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 20 APRIL:Katerina Lehou, who plays the role of high priestess pass the flame to the olympic torch at the Ancient Olympia site during a rehearsal for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio 2o16 Olympic Games Olympic Games on April 2o in Olympia, Greece. The torch was lit using the rays of the sun in the ancient sanctuary where the Olympic Games were started in 776 BC, near the temple of Hera. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

Matthew Meyer

New friendships forged

50m back podium photo

Frank Heslop

Rene Warnes – Proudly South African.

Academic

Hahaha, it would probably be that I am very quiet and an introverted person, so often I think people take it as me being upset, in a bad mood or arrogant even, which is not the case I hope…

I leave home at 4:50 am, go for morning training, then school, then back to training and finally return home by 6:45 pm and then homework starts.

Michael’s cousins with Chad and Michael

December 2009

Quiet Moment of contemplation.

Carla Johnson (18) is passionate about sports and she is appealing for a good Samaritan to sponsor her so that she doesn’t miss any more competitions PHOTO: TIYESE JERANJI

Michael’s Dad – Peter

…but my greatest personal accomplishment would definitely be breaking Ryk Neethling’s Long and Short course 400m Freestyle national records.

Andrew Clan

Rebecca Meder and Trisha Pollicutte with me on the podium for 50 Fly

Queen of the Swimming Pool

The late Jeanne Davin with Daniela

Medal time!

Go!

Happiness is…

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 21 APRIL: Priestessperforme during the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio Olympic Games at the Ancient Olympia site on April 21, 2016 in Olympia, Greece. Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame from Ancient Olympia on relay through Greece for eight days before a hand-over ceremony at Panathenian Stadium in Athens. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

Proudly Team SA

Carissa and Chad le Clos Speedo Prestige July 2013