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The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships – Day 3

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Day 03 of the 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships

Polokwane, Wednesday, 12th April 2017  – The National SA Schools Championships swimming action continued at the Polokwane Town Swimming Pool in Limpopo tonight (Wednesday, 12th April 2017) and SA’s talented youth persisted on their quest for glory.

Gauteng schools dominated the pool once again with a total 126 medals (63 gold, 38 silver and 25 bronze), while KZN Aquatics came a close second with 88 medals (32 gold, 28 silver and 28 bronze), and the Free State schools third with 31 medals (10 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze).

The fast 50m freestyle event lived up to expectations when Gauteng’s Willem Roos (12), Free State’s Simeon Vorster (13), KZN’s Lucas Beukes (15) and Gauteng’s Jan Moll (16) all touched the wall with golden times of 29.00, 27.53, 25.31 and 24.42, as the ladies who brought home the title were KZN’s Emma Christianson (12), Mpumalanga’s Brooklyn Croxon (13), Free State’s Alida van der Merwe (14) and Eastern Cape’s Lesley Blignaut (17) in 29.93, 27.99, 27.97 and 27.55, respectively.

12 year old Elijah Dredge from Gauteng claimed victory in the 200m backstroke event in 2:36.52, with the other wins in the various categories going to teammates Joshua Neuhoff (13) in 2:38.86 and Ethan Spieker (15) in 2:15.20 as well as Free State’s Cullen Thomas (17) in 2:16.16.

In the ladies 200m backstroke, the champions were Dieu van Jaarsveld (12) in 2:42.18, KZN’s Courtney Steyn (13) in 2:32.10, Eastern Cape’s Tayla Botha (15) in 2:31.04 and Gauteng’s Janie Coetzer (16) in 2:27.96.

Gauteng’s Benke Grobler (12), KZN’s Ozzy Aromin (13), Free State’s Luan de Waal (15) and Gauteng’s Michael Deans (16) finished first in the 200m breaststroke in 2:52.20, 2:46.72, 2:34.86 and 2:30.46, while the ladies who grabbed the gold in their respective age group races were Gauteng’s Michaela dal Medico (12), KZN’s Emma Kuhn (13), Gauteng’s Gabriella Moll (14) and Mpumalanga’s Jordyn Minifie (16) in 2:57.96, 2:50.13, 2:49.88 and 2:48.09, respectively.

There was plenty to celebrate in the multi-disability events with Mpumalanga’s Shane le Roux (13), Gauteng’s Slindokuhle Mabanga (18) and Bongekile Sabeka (19) winning the 100m breaststroke in 2:53.86, 1:19.24 and 1:52.90, respectively.

Gauteng’s Pierre Dellieu bagged his third gold medal of the competition in the S14-15 50m butterfly in 26.86, while KZN’s Simone Mare (16) won the S1-13 race in 50.48.

The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships, which is organized by Sport and Recreation South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, Swimming South Africa and National Schools Aquatics, will conclude tomorrow with the heats starting at 09h00 and the finals at 15h00.

 

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The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships – Day 2

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Day 02 of the 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships

Polokwane, Tuesday, 11th April 2017  – South Africa’s rising talent continued to shine during the second day of the 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships taking place at the Polokwane Town Swimming Pool in Limpopo.

After two days of competition, Gauteng Province is in the lead with a total of 84 medals (41 gold, 26 silver and 17 bronze), followed by KZN with 59 medals (23 gold, 19 silver and 17 bronze) and Mpumalanga with 25 medals (6 gold, 11 silver and 8 bronze).

Free State’s Luan de Waal was a regular on the medal podium with a gold in the 100m breaststroke (14-15) in 1:09.41 and a silver in the 200m individual medley in 2:20.81, while 13 year old Brooklyn Croxon from Mpumalanga bagged two gold medals in the 100m breaststroke in 1:18.02 and the 100m freestyle in 1:02.70.

Gauteng’s Ryan Zasas (13) and Eastern Cape’s Alex Goddard (17) were also two times lucky on the night, with Zasas winning two gold medals in the 100m freestyle in 59.88 and the 200m individual medley in 2:30.50, while Goddard walked away with gold in the freestyle race clocking 54.07 and later won the bronze in the 50m butterfly in 27.05.

Eastern Cape’s Lesley Blignaut was fast off the block in the 100m freestyle finishing first in 59.56 and in the 50m butterfly; the 17 year old managed a silver medal clocking 29.90, while youngster Kian Keylock (12) from Gauteng won the 200m individual medley in 2:45.22 and the 50m butterfly in 32.43.

It was gold and silver for 12 year old Amy Muller from Gauteng, winning the 200m individual medley in 2:41.80 and finishing second in the 50m butterfly in 32.17, while KZN’s 13 year old Ambrin Pienaar claimed victory in her medley race in 2:37.52 and later won the silver in the 50m butterfly in 32.16.

The 100m breaststroke proved highly entertaining with Gauteng’s Benke Grobler winning the 11-12 age group category in 1:19.18, followed by Western Province’s Keeno Swarts (1:23.72) and Rafeeq Isaac (1:25.02), while in the 13 age group race KZN’s Ozzy Aromin swam to victory in 1:16.57 ahead of teammate Myles Lea (1:19.32) and Free State’s Cobus Moolman (1:22.24).

The top spots in the remaining 100m breaststroke events went to Gauteng’s Michael Deans (16) in 1:08.10, KZN’s Simei Bekker (11) in 1:21.07, Mpumalanga’s Kayla Schefermann (15) in 1:18.20 and KZN’s Emma Huxtable (16) in 1:18.98.

The fast times continued in the 100m freestyle as Gauteng’s Willem Roos (12) won his race in 1:03.90, while fellow teammate Ethan Spieker (15) grabbed the gold in his category in 54.43.  The ladies’ gold medals went to Gauteng’s Dieu van Jaarsveld (12) in 1:04.87 and Kelsea Munro (15) in 1:02.62.

Mpumalanga’s Giano dos Santos (15) and Eastern Cape’s Damien Fourie (16) bagged gold medals in their respective 200m individual medley event in 2:19.06 and 2:20.07, while the ladies’ first places went to KZN’s Tori Oliver (14) and Gauteng’s Jesica Smit (17) in 2:34.07 and 2:28.11, respectively.

Oliver also went on to win the 50m butterfly in 30.37.

In the 50m butterfly events, the gold medals were collected by Free State’s Simeon Voster (13) in 29.26, KZN’s Lucas Beukes (15) in 27.28 and Gauteng’s Jan Moll (16) in 26.38, while on the ladies’ side, KZN’s Emma Christianson (12), Limpopo’s Kristin Lottering (13) and Gauteng’s Chante Cornelius (16) won in 32.10, 31.80 and 29.51, respectively.

In the multi-disability races, Thulane Mabuza (19) continued his winning streak in the S1-13 100m freestyle with a time of 1:05.02, while Pierre Dellieu (19), who recently qualified for the Deaf Olympics during the SA National Aquatic Championships, claimed the gold in his freestyle S14-15 event in 55.79.

On the ladies’ side, Gauteng’s Bongekile Sebeka won the S1-13 100m freestyle in 1:24.63, while her Provincial teammate, Moneque Edwards was victorious in the S14-15 category in 1:34.92.

The 100m S1-13 breaststroke gold medals went to Limpopo’s Nathan Struwig (11) in 1:59.23, KZN’s Khulekani Sikhosana (17) in 42.33 and KZN’s Mnqobi Macanda (17) in 41.43, while the ladies’ titles went to Gauteng’s Bongekile Sabeka (19) in 50.50 and KZN’s Snenhlanhla Majozi (17) in 1:01.27.

The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships, which is organized by Sport and Recreation South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, Swimming South Africa and National Schools Aquatics, will continue tomorrow with the heats starting at 09h00 and the finals at 15h00 daily.

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The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships – Day 1

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The 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championships kick off in Polokwane

Polokwane, Tuesday, 11th April 2017  – Mzansi’s youth showcased tremendous skill and talent as the first day of the 2017 National SA Schools Swimming Championship kicked off at the Polokwane Town Swimming Pool in Limpopo last night, Monday, 10th April.

The event, which is organized by Sport and Recreation South Africa, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and Swimming South Africa, is aimed at promoting school sport among learners and addressing the strategic objectives of the National Development Plan.

Limpopo’s Ivan Beukes began the competition with a gold medal in the 100m backstroke (16-17) in a fast 1:00.51 and a silver medal in the 200m freestyle, clocking 2:00.57 behind Jan Moll who sped to a gold in the 200m freestyle clocking 1:58.53.

Gauteng’s Dieu van Jaarsveld also claimed two medals on the opening night with a gold in the 200m freestyle (11-12) in 2:23.20 followed by Lise Coetzee in 2:27.70 and Lisbe Booyse in 2:29.44, while in the 100m backstroke, it was silver for Van Jaarsveld in 1:16.01 ahead of Ashley Ebing in 1:16.13 and behind Tanna Harrod in 1:15.08.

In the highly competitive 200m freestyle races, the 11-12 age group category gold went to Gauteng’s Kieran Grant in 2:22.81 while silver and bronze went to Enzi Nogueira in 2:24.85 and Regardt Grobler in 2:25.76 respectively, while the 13 age group title was claimed by KZN’s Ozzy Aromin in 2:16.53 ahead of Ayden Jordaan in 2:23.34 and Kuhlekonke Mkhize in 2:28.97.

The 14-15 200m freestyle gold went to Gauteng’s Ethan Spieker in 1:59.00, followed by Robbie Drummond in 2:08.24 and Ian Brijlal in 2:08.67. The ladies’ gold went to KZN’s Tori Oliver in 2:13.75 ahead of Idele du Toit in 2:14.28 and Stephanie Houtman in 2:17.26.

Free State’s Chloe le Roux walked away with the top spot in the 200m freestyle 13 age group category race in 2:16.79 to Courtney Steyn’s 2:19.04 and Hannah Cromhout’s 2:25.60, while Gauteng’s Janie Coetzer(16) won her respective event in 2:11.98 ahead of Kristen Straszacker in 2:13.16 and Merelda Terblanche in 2:13.76.

In the 50m breaststroke (11-12) Gauteng’s Benke Grobler and Western Cape’s Rafeeq Isaac shared the gold medal in 37.56, while the bronze went to Gustav Bond in 38.94.

In the remaining 50m breaststroke events, the gold medals were scooped up by KZN’s Ozzy Aromin (13) in 34.69, Free State’s Luan de Waal (15) in 31.51, Gauteng’s Michael Deans (16) in 30.28, while the ladies’ first places went to Western Cape’s Leah Christie (12) in 37.01, Gauteng’s Caitlin de Lange (13) in 35.19, North West’s Bianca Opperman (15) in 35.63 and KZN’s Emma Huxtable (16) in 35.28.

Gauteng’s Willem Roos (12), North West’s Pieter Coetze (13) and Mpumalanga’s Giano dos Santos (15) bagged the gold medals in their respective 100m backstroke events in 1:14.24, 1:07.49 and 1:02.68, while the victorious ladies were Free State’s Guilma Lausberg (13), Eastern Cape’s Alexia Velde (14) and Chloe Velde (16) in 1:11.44, 1:10.52 and 1:08.92, respectively.

In the multi-disability section it was the Gauteng Province that led the charge in the 200m individual medley with the gold medals going to Thulane Mabuza (SM10) in 2:50.23 and Pierre Dellieu (SM15) in 2:29.27, while the 50m backstroke title went to David McKlopper (S2) in 1:37.05 and Khabisi Njobe (S15) in 41.34 as well as Karien Oberholzer (15) in 45.92.

In the remaining 50m backstroke races, Mpumalanga’s Shane le Roux (13) won the S14-15 category in 53.69; Limpopo’s Nathan Sruwig (11) was victorious in the S6 in 1:28.28, while on the ladies side, KZN’s Simone Mare (16) won her respective S9 event in 48.63.

The National SA Schools Swimming Championships will continue today with the heats starting at 09h00 and the finals at 15h00 daily.

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DAY 6: 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

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The 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships successfully concluded today

Durban, Saturday, 8th April 2017  – The 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships in Durban successfully concluded today with a total of twenty-four Junior and eight Senior FINA World Championships qualifications, as well as four Deaf Olympics and seven World Para Swimming Championships qualifiers.

Chad le Clos celebrated the confirmation of his third qualification time for Hungary in the 100m butterfly when he clocked a fast 51.29, followed by Ryan Coetzee (53.29) and Ralph Goveia (54.30), while Brad Tandy and Zane Waddell were all smiles in the 50m freestyle final, claiming the gold and silver in FINA World Championships qualification times of 21.97 and 22.41, respectively. Douglas Erasmus won the bronze in 22.63.

Finishing over two seconds ahead of the pack, Brent Szurdoki scooped the gold in the 1500m freestyle with an FINA Word Championships Qualification time of 15:11.22 to the 15:12.79 requirement, while Jarryd Baxter and Chad Michau booked their place to the Junior competition in the USA in qualifying times of 15:36.22 and 15.58.81, respectively.

Rebecca Meder’s outstanding performance in the 400m individual medley earned her the top spot in the event with a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 4:48.49, ahead of Samantha Randle in 4:55.12 and Kate Beavon in 4:57.63.

The 200m breaststroke was a very rewarding race for five of Mzansi’s youth hopefuls when Daniel Swanepoel, Duncan Rudolph, Bailey Musgrave, Likith Prema and Michael Houlie all confirmed their Junior qualifications. Swanepoel won the race in 2:15.83 to Rudolph’s 2:18.09, Musgrave’s 2:18.26, Prema’s 2:19.41 and Houlie’s 2:19.63.

In the ladies’ 200m breaststroke, Tatjana Schoenmaker was victorious in 2:26.20, while Kaylene Corbett, Christin Mundell and Hanim Abrahams all added the event to their list of Junior Qualifiers in 2:30.07, 2:31.46 and 2:33.98, respectively.

In the 100m freestyle, Erin Gallagher scooped the gold in 56.28 ahead of Emma Chelius in 56.75 and Seychelles’ Felicity Passon in 56.90, while 14 year old Olivia Nel, who despite finishing fourth, added her name to the FINA Junior World Championships list by a mere 0.02 secs when she touched the wall in 58.06 to the 58.08 requirement.

Gallagher was back in the water to receive the gold for the 50m butterfly, clocking a winning 27.35 to Chelius’ 27.90 and Kenya’s Emily Muteti in 28.40.

Martin Bindell, Neil Fair and Ruan Ras made up the 200m backstroke medal podium in 1:59.69, 2:01.47 and 2:04.10, respectively, while 15 year old Luan Grobbelaar was more than happy with his silver medal in the 400m individual medley in a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 4:29.59 ahead of Ruan Breytenbach (4:35.39) and behind Ayrton Sweeney (4:20.41).

In the multi-disability races, Cornell Loubser claimed the top position in the S14-15 200m individual medley in 2:40.86, with the S1-13 winner was Alani Ferreira in 2:52.03.

In the men’s S14-15 medley event, Aaron Putz won the gold in 2:32.38, while Christian Sadie came first in the S1-13 category with a World Para Swimming Championships qualification time of 2:45.59.

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

Final List of Qualifying Times – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.73
  • Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:46.84, 200m butterfly – 1:55.00, 100m butterfly – 51.29
  • Myles Brown – 200m freestyle – 1:47.55
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker – 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:25.23
  • Brad Tandy – 50m freestyle  – 21.97
  • Zane Waddell – 50m freestyle – 22.41
  • Douglas Erasmus – 50m freestyle (SF) – 22.39
  • Brent Szurdoki – 1500m freestyle – 15.11.22

Final List of Qualifying Times – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly – 1:01.04, 200m freestyle  – 2:03.90, 200m butterfly – 2:14.14
  • Kate Beavon – 200m freestyle  – 2:03.13, 800m freestyle – 8:54.77
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85, 200m freestyle – 1:50.45, 1500m freestyle – 15:36.22
  • Chad Michau – 800m freestyle – 8:22.99, 1500m freestyle – 15:58.81
  • Timothy Sates – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:52.94
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:16.24, 1500m freestyle – 16.49.77, 200m freestyle – 2:02.94, 800m freestyle – 8:49.49, 400m individual medley – 4:48.49
  • Jenna Pearse – 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.89
  • Abi Meder – 1500m freestyle – 17:08.15, 800m freestyle – 8:58.46
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley – 2:19.83, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.64, 100m freestyle (SF) – 57.99
  • Christin Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51, 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.56, 200m breaststroke – 2:31.46
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.20, 200m breaststroke – 2:19.63
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke -1:03.07, 200m breaststroke – 2:15.83
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36, 200m breaststroke – 2:18.09
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56, 200m breaststroke – 2:18.26
  • Kaylene Corbett – 100m breaststroke – 1:09.46, 200m breaststroke – 2:30.07
  • Hanim Abrahams – 100m breaststroke – 1:11.18, 200m breaststroke – 2:33.98
  • Mariella Venter – 100m backstroke – 1:01.53, 200m backstroke – 2:13.40
  • Inge Weidemann – 50m freestyle – 26.26, 100m freestyle (SF) – 57.65
  • Olivia Nel – 100m freestyle – 58.06
  • Ryen van Wyk – 100m freestyle – 52.15
  • Likith Prema – 200m breaststroke – 2:19.41
  • Luan Grobbelaar – 200m individual medley – 2:06.00, 400m individual medley – 4:29.59
  • Kiara Noades – 200m backstroke – 2:17.99

Final list of Deaf Olympics Qualifiers:

  • Cornell Loubser – 50, 100 and 200m butterfly
  • Mark Roach – 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle
  • Pierre Dellieu – 50 and 100m freestyle
  • Credence Pattinson – 100 and 400m freestyle, 50, 100 and 200m backstroke

Final list of World Para Swimming Qualifiers:

  • Hendri Herbst S11 – 50 and 100m freestyle
  • Johann van Heerden SB9 – 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley
  • David Klopper S2 – 100m backstroke
  • Christian Sadie S7, SB7, SM7  – 50m butterfly, 50 and 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley
  • Franco Smit S12 – 50 and 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke
  • Alani Ferreira S13 – 400m freestyle & 100m breaststroke
  • Christelle Kriel S14 – 100m butterfly

 

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DAY 5: 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

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The second-last day of the 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

Work is LOVE in action: special moments of care. Coach Tadhg Slattery and Kabelo Zwane

Durban, Friday, 7th April 2017  – Western Cape’s Rebecca Meder and the talented youngsters of Mzansi continued to impress, while Tatjana Schoenmaker, Douglas Erasmus and Brad Tandy added their names to the FINA World Championships team, during the fifth day of the SA National Aquatic Championships, taking place at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

Twenty-three up and coming swimmers have already made the FINA Junior World Championships qualification list and with one more day of action to go, that number is sure to grow.

Meder (14) bagged her fourth Junior qualifying time in the 800m freestyle, clocking a fast 8:49.49, while Kate Beavon and Abi Meder raced to their second qualification times, finishing second and third in 8:54.77 and 8:58.46, respectively.

Schoenmaker (19) became the first female to add her name on the FINA World Championships qualification list when she topped the 200m breaststroke semi-finals in 2:25.23, while Chad le Clos celebrated his third qualification time in the 100m butterfly semi-finals in 51.56. The finals for both events will take place tomorrow.

Kaylene Corbett and Christin Mundell also won their second Junior qualification times in the breaststroke semi-final in 2:30.76 and 2:33.03, to the required 2:35.20.

In the fast pace 50m freestyle semi-finals, Brad Tandy and Douglas Erasmus were on top of the world as they penciled their names in on the FINA World Championships qualification list in 21.99 and 22.39, respectively

14 year old Dune Coetzee was on point in the 200m butterfly, adding her third Junior qualifying time by winning the race in 2:14.14 followed by Nathania van Niekerk in 2:18.72 and Marli Jacobs in 2:20.16, while the 100m freestyle gold was claimed by Zane Waddell in 49.09, with 18 year old Ryen van Wyk adding his name to the FINA Junior World Championships list with a qualification time of 52.15, to the 52.33 requirement.

It was gold for Luan Grobbelaar (15) in the 200m individual medley with a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 2:06.00 ahead of Andrew Brown in 2:07.66 and Damian Mullen in 2:08.06, while Mariella Venter confirmed her qualification in the 200m backstroke, winning the race in 2:13.40 and Kiara Noades added her name to the list with a bronze medal time of 2:17.99.

There were five FINA Junior World Championships qualifying times in the men’s 200m breaststroke semi-final, with fast times from Daniel Swanepoel (2:16.38), Duncan Rudolph (2:17.43), Michael Houlie (2:18.64), Bailey Musgrave (2:19.08) and newly added Likith Prema (2:20.58).

Martin Binedell and Neil Fair will be looking for fast times in tomorrow evening’s 200m backstroke final after they finishedtonight’s semi-finals in 2:00.00 and 2:02.71, while Inge Weidemann and Gabi Grobler were happy with their FINA Junior World Championships qualification times in the 100m freestyle semi-finals in 57.65 and 57.99, respectively.

In the 50m butterfly semi-finals, Erin Gallagher’s quick 27.77 put her in the pole position for tomorrow’s final ahead of Emma Chelius in 28.13 and Grobler in 28.43.

In the multi-disability races, Pierre Dellieu continued to showcase his talents, winning the S14-15 50m backstroke in 29.31 and the 100m freestyle  in a Deaf Olympics qualification time of 54.92, with the S1-13 backstroke category gold going to Franco Smit in 31.54 and the freestyle to Paralympian Hendri Herbst in a World Para Swimming Championships qualification time of 1:01.37.

The top place in the ladies S14-15 backstroke went to Cornell Loubser in 34.53, while Kristen Henry won the S1-13 event in 40.30.

Christelle Kriel (S14) added yet another gold medal to her tally, this time in the 100m freestyle in 1:08.79, while Alani Ferreira won the S1-13 in 1:10.38.

The final day of the SA National Aquatic Championships will see the heats starts at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h00.

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 and Rand Water.

Qualifying Times following Day 05 – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.73
  • Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:46.84, 200m butterfly – 1:55.00, 100m butterfly (SF) – 51.56
  • Myles Brown – 200m freestyle – 1:47.55
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker – 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:25.23
  • Brad Tandy – 50m freestyle (SF) – 21.99
  • Douglas Erasmus – 50m freestyle (SF) – 22.39

Qualifying Times following Day 05 – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly – 1:01.04, 200m freestyle  – 2:03.90, 200m butterfly – 2:14.14
  • Kate Beavon – 200m freestyle  – 2:03.13, 800m freestyle – 8:54.77
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85, 200m freestyle – 1:50.45
  • Chad Michau – 800m freestyle – 8:22.99
  • Timothy Sates – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:52.94
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:16.24, 1500m freestyle – 16.49.77, 200m freestyle – 2:02.94, 800m freestyle – 8:49.49
  • Jenna Pearse – 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.89
  • Abi Meder – 1500m freestyle – 17:08.15, 800m freestyle – 8:58.46
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley – 2:19.83, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.64, 100m freestyle (SF) – 57.99
  • Christin Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51, 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.56, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:33.03
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.20, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:18.64
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke -1:03.07, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:16.38
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:17.43
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:19.08
  • Kaylene Corbett – 100m breaststroke – 1:09.46, 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:30.76.
  • Hanim Abrahams – 100m breaststroke – 1:11.18
  • Mariella Venter – 100m backstroke – 1:01.53, 200m backstroke – 2:13.40
  • Inge Weidemann – 50m freestyle – 26.26, 100m freestyle (SF) – 57.65
  • Ryen van Wyk – 100m freestyle – 52.15
  • Likith Prema – 200m breaststroke (SF) – 2:20.58
  • Luan Grobbelaar – 200m individual medley – 2:06.00
  • Kiara Noades – 200m backstroke – 2:17.99

Deaf Olympics Qualifiers:

  • Cornell Loubser – 50, 100 and 200m butterfly
  • Mark Roach – 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle
  • Pierre Dellieu – 50 and 100m freestyle
  • Credence Pattinson – 100 and 400m freestyle, 50, 100 and 200m backstroke

World Para Swimming Qualifiers:

  • Hendri Herbst S11 – 50 and 100m freestyle
  • Johann van Heerden SB9 – 100m breaststroke
  • David Klopper S2 – 100m backstroke
  • Christian Sadie S7, SB7, SM7  – 50m butterfly, 50 and 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke
  • Franco Smit S12 – 50 and 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke
  • Alani Ferreira S13 – 400m freestyle & 100m breaststroke
  • Christelle Kriel S14 – 100m butterfly

 

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DAY 4: 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

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The fourth day of the 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

Photo Credits – Rippers Diving Club  – Coach Dominique Philippopoulos

Durban, Thursday, 6th April 2017  – After four days of competition, South African’s top athletes displayed no signs of slowing down as the FINA World Championships qualification times continue to pour in at the SA National Aquatic Championships inDurban.

There was no stopping Chad le Clos as he raced to his second FINA World Championships qualifying time in his favorite 200m butterfly. Le Clos’ fast time of 1:55.00 saw him claim the gold, over four seconds ahead of Myles Brown, who ended with a time of 1:59.77. Alard Basson was third in 2:03.86.

Cameron van der Burgh was once again in top form as he sped to the finish in the 50m breaststroke, claiming his second gold medal in 27.17 ahead of Brad Tandy’s 28.16 and Jared Pike’s 28.34, while Tatjana Schoenmaker led the charge in her respective race and walked away with the gold in 31.61 ahead of Kaylene Corbett in 32.02 and Tara-Lynn Nicholas in 32.44.

Rebecca Meder, Kate Beavon and Dune Coetzee were all smiles as they confirmed their FINA Junior World Championships qualification times in the 200m freestyle. Meder won the event in 2:02.94, while Beavon claimed the silver in 2:03.13 and Coetzee finished fourth in 2:03.90. The bronze went to Nathania van Niekerk in 2:03.57.

Matthew Meyer just missed out on the 800m freestyle FINA World Championships qualification time, as he scooped the gold in 7:54.53, to the required 7:54.31, ahead of Josh Dannhauser in 8:01.02 and Chad Michau (16), who added his name to the FINA Junior World Championships qualification list with a time of 8:22.99.

Mariella Venter booked her second FINA Junior World Championships qualification, this time in the 200m backstroke semi-finals when she clocked 2:13.52, over four second under the required 2:18.41.

The semi-finals of the 50m backstroke saw Jacques van Wyk, Clayton Jimmie and Jack Oliver fill out the top three spots in 26.06, 26.82 and 27.09, while the ladies’ race was contested between Venter, Felicity Passon and Erin Gallagher in 29.04, 29.79 and 29.87 respectively. The finals for both events will take place tomorrow.

Zane Waddell, Douglas Erasmus and Ryan Coetzee will be battling it out for the 100m freestyle gold in tomorrow night’s final, as they concluded this evening’s semi-finals in 49.55, 50.26 and 50.74, while Dune Coetzee, Marli Jacobs and Caitlin Kat will be looking for fast times in the 200m butterfly final, having finished the semi-finals in 2:16.27, 2:19.59 and 2:21.27, respectively.

The 200m individual medley semi-final was dominated by Ayrton Sweeney in 2:01.69, followed by Neil Fair in 2:03.14 and Luan Grobbelaar in 2:07.59, with the final being held tomorrow.

Paralympian Hendri Herbst won the gold in the 50m freestyle (S1-13) in a fast 27.50, while the first place in the S14-15 category went to Pierre Dellieu in a Deaf Olympics Qualification time of 24.51. Dellieu also grabbed the 50m breaststroke gold in 31.15.

On the ladies side, Christelle Kriel, who posted a World Para Swimming Championships qualification time in the 100m butterfly earlier in the week, claimed her third and fourth gold medal of the competition in the 50m freestyle (S14-15) in 31.55 and the 50m breaststroke in 43.22, with the S1-13 freestyle gold going to Shannon Martins in 34.73 and the breaststroke title to Cornelle Leach in 44.00.

The day 05 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h00 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 and Rand Water.

Qualifying Times following Day 04 – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.73
  • Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:46.84, 200m butterfly – 1:55.00
  • Myles Brown – 200m freestyle – 1:47.55

Qualifying Times following Day 04 – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly – 1:01.04, 200m freestyle  – 2:03.90
  • Kate Beavon – 200m freestyle  – 2:03.13
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85, 200m freestyle – 1:50.45
  • Chad Michau – 800m freestyle – 8:22.99
  • Timothy Sates – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:52.94
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:16.24, 1500m freestyle – 16.49.77, 200m freestyle – 2:02.94
  • Jenna Pearse – 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.89
  • Abi Meder – 1500m freestyle – 17:08.15
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley – 2:19.83, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.64
  • Christina Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51, 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.56
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.20
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56
  • Kaylene Corbett – 100m breaststroke – 1:09.46
  • Hanim Abrahams – 100m breaststroke – 1:11.18
  • Mariella Venter – 100m backstroke – 1:01.53, 200m backstroke (SF) – 2:13.52
  • Inge Weidemann – 50m freestyle – 26.26

Deaf Olympics Qualifiers:

  • Cornelle Loubser – 50 & 100m butterfly
  • Mark Roach – 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle
  • Pierre Dellieu – 50m freestyle
  • Credence Pattinson – 400m freestyle, 50 and 100m backstroke

World Para Swimming Qualifiers:

  • David Klopper S2 – 100m backstroke
  • Christian Sudie S7, SB7, SM7  – 50m butterfly
  • Franco Smit S12 – 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke
  • Alani Ferreira S13 – 400m freestyle & 100m breaststroke
  • Christelle Kriel S14 – 100m butterfly

 

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DAY 3: 2017 SA National Aquatic Champs: The walls of Jericho Fell

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Chad le Clos and Myles Brown led the way on day 03 of the 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

Durban, Wednesday, 5th April 2017  – Chad le Clos and Myles Brown led the way as the FINA World Championships Qualification short list continued to grow on the third night of swimming action at the SA National Aquatic Championships taking place in Durban.

Le Clos turned on the power and cruised ahead of Brown to an impressive qualification time of 1:46.84 in the final of the 200m freestyle. Brown ended in 1:47.55, also a FINA World Championships qualification time, while Jarryd Baxter clocked a Junior qualification time of 1:50.45 to claim the bronze.

Le Clos and Brown also finished on top of the 200m butterfly semi-final in 2:00.88 and 2:02.19 respectively, ahead oftomorrow’s final.

Rebecca Meder (14) raced to her second and third FINA Junior World Championships qualification times in the 1500m freestyle when she grabbed the gold medal in 16:49.77 and the 200m freestyle semi-finals in 2:05.66, while Abi Meder (16) made the list with a qualification time of 17:08.15 to take home the bronze in the long distance event.

Dune Coetzee (14), Kate Beavon (16), Gabi Grobler (17) and Jenna Pearse (16) also made the cut in the 200m freestyle in FINA Junior World Championships qualification times of 2:03.69, 2:04.48, 2:05.64 and 2:05.89 respectively.

Mariella Venter (17) was over the moon as she confirmed her FINA Junior World Championships qualification time in the 100m backstroke, clocking a golden 1:01.53 ahead of Seychelles’ Felicity Passon and Alexus Laird in 1:03.11 and 1:04.54, respectively.

The semi-final of the 50m breaststroke saw Cameron van der Burgh in the lead with a time of 27.06, followed by Brad Tandy (28.00) and Jared Pike (28.41), while on the ladies side, Tatjana Schoenmaker touched the wall first in 31.68 ahead of Tara-Lynn Nicholas in 32.20 and Kaylene Corbett in 32.27, with the finals set to take place tomorrow.

Corbett was back in the water for the 100m breaststroke final, winning the silver and confirming her FINA Junior World Championships qualification in a time of 1:09.46, alongside Hanim Abrahams who finished in 1:11.18 to the required 1:11.79. Schoenmaker claimed the gold in the event in 1:08.36.

In the 100m backstroke final, Jacques van Wyk was victorious with a time of 56.52, while the silver and bronze went to Martin Bindell and Neil Fair in 56.58 and 57.42, respectively.

The multi-disability races, saw Cornell Loubser and Mark Roach top the medal podium in the S14-15 100m butterfly events in 1:05.50 and 1:00.38, respectively, while Kaleb van der Merwe won the S1-13 category in 1:13.44.

The day 04 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h00 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 and Rand Water.

Qualifying Times following Day 03 – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.73
  • Chad le Clos – 200m freestyle – 1:46.84
  • Myles Brown – 200m freestyle – 1:47.55

Qualifying Times following Day 03 – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly – 1:01.04, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:03.69
  • Kate Beavon – 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:04.48
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85, 200m freestyle – 1:50.45
  • Timothy Sates – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:52.94
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:16.24, 1500m freestyle – 16.49.77, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.66
  • Jenna Pearse – 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.89
  • Abi Meder – 1500m freestyle – 17:08.15
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley – 2:19.83, 200m freestyle (SF) – 2:05.64
  • Christina Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51, 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.56
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.20
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56
  • Kaylene Corbett – 100m breaststroke – 1:09.46
  • Hanim Abrahams – 100m breaststroke – 1:11.18
  • Mariella Venter – 100m backstroke – 1:01.53
  • Inge Weidemann – 50m freestyle – 26.26

 

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DAY 2: 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

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2017 SA National Aquatic Championships and FINA World Championships Trials

Durban, Tuesday, 4th April 2017  – The South African swim stars continued to showcase their skills and determination on the second day of the SA National Aquatic Championships taking place in Durban at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre tonight(Tuesday, 4th April 2017).

Cameron van der Burgh cruised to a sterling finish in the 100m breaststroke, clocking a FINA World Championships qualification time of 59.73, while Daniel Swanepoel (18), Bryce Skea (17) and Michael Houlie (16) all confirmed their Junior qualification times.

The silver in the event was claimed by Alaric Basson in 1:02.62.

Myles Brown was on top of the world in the 200m freestyle semi-final, as he posted his first FINA World Championships qualification time of 1:47.51, to the 1:47.73 requirements and overtook Chad le Clos, who finished second in 1:49.47.

Jarryd Baxter (18), who finished third, scooped his second FINA Junior World Championships qualification time in 1:49.79 and Timothy Sates (18) added his name to the list in 1:52.94.

In the 100m butterfly, Dune Coetzee confirmed her FINA Junior World Championships qualification time when she won the silver in the event in 1:01.04 ahead of Hannah McLean-Leonard in 1:01.57 and behind Seychelles’ Felicity Passon in 1:00.88.

Rebecca Meder (14) was on point in the final of the 200m individual medley, winning the race in a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 2:16.24, followed by Nathania van Niekerk in 2:18.79 and Gabi Grobler (17) with another qualification time of 2:19.83.

Tatjana Schoenmaker just missed out on a qualification time in the 100m breaststroke semi-final, as she topped the race in 1:07.99 to the 1:07.58 requirement, while Kaylene Corbett (17), Hanim Abrahams (15) and Christina Mundell (15) all made the FINA Junior World Championships qualification short list. The final for the event will be held tomorrow.

In the semi-finals of the 100m backstroke, Mariella Venter (17) raced ahead of the pack with a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 1:01.73. The final of the event will take place tomorrow.

In the 100m backstroke semi-finals, Jacques van Wyk was the fastest qualifier in 56.29 and will be looking to improve on that time in tomorrow night’s final, with the FINA World Championships standard sitting at 54.06.

It was gold for Douglas Erasmus in the 50m butterfly, clocking a fast 23.91 to Ryan Coetzee’s 24.24 and Brad Tandy’s 24.30, while in the 50m freestyle, Erin Gallagher walked away with the title in 26.06 ahead of Emma Chelius in 26.08 and Inge Weidemann (16), who also added her name to the FINA Junior World Championships qualification list in a time of 26.46.

In the multi-disability section, Cornell Loubser won the 50m butterfly S14-15 in 29.58, with Shannon Martins taking the gold in the S1-13 event in 39.98, while on the men’s side, Mark Roach (S15) and Christian Sadie (S1-13) were victorious in their respective races in 26.41 and 31.65.

In the S14-15 100m breaststroke, the gold went to Christelle Kriel in 1:32.77 and Aaron Putz in 1:16.45, with the S1-13 title going to Alani Ferreira in 1:27.89 and Johan van Heerden in 1:12.61.

The day 03 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h00 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 and Rand Water.

Qualifying Times following Day 02 – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke – 59.73
  • Myles Brown – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:47.51

Qualifying Times following Day 02 – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly – 1:01.04
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85, 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:49.79
  • Timothy Sates – 200m freestyle (SF) – 1:52.94
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:16.24
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley – 2:19.83
  • Christina Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51, 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.56
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.20
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke -1:03.07
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56
  • Kaylene Corbett – 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:10.40
  • Hanim Abrahams – 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:11.20
  • Mariella Venter – 100m backstroke (SF) – 1:01.73
  • Inge Weidemann – 50m freestyle – 26.26

 

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DAY 1: 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships

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Durban, Monday, 3rd April 2017  – The battle for fast times has begun as Mzansi’s youth and elite swimmers kicked off the 2017 SA National Aquatic Championships at the Kings Park Swimming Pool in Durban today, Monday, 3rd April.

This year’s event doubles as the official 17th FINA World Championships and 6th FINA Junior World Championships Trials, which are due to take place in Hungary from 14-30 July and the USA from 23-28 August, respectively.

Olympian Cameron van der Burgh did not disappoint the Durban crowd as he swam to a FINA World Championship qualification time of 1:00.07 in the 100m breaststroke semi-finals to take the lead in tomorrow evening’s final, while Michael Houlie (16), Daniel Swanepoel (18), Bryce Skea (17), Duncan Rudolph (17) and Bailey Musgrave (18) all dipped under the FINA Junior qualification time of 1:03.74.

The gold in the 400m freestyle went to Matthew Meyer in 3:49.55 ahead of Brent Szurdoki in 3:51.21 but the real winner was 18 year old Jarryd Baxter, who claimed the bronze in a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 3:51.85.

Rebecca Meder (14), Gabi Grobler (17) and Christina Mundell (15) penciled their names on the 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships qualification list as they finished the 200m individual medley semi-finals with the top three spots, clocking 2:17.80, 2:20.17 and 2:20.51, respectively. The final of the event will take place tomorrow.

In the 100m butterfly semi-final, 14 year old Dune Coetzee finished in second place with a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 1:01.67 to the required 1:01.90, while Seychelles’ Felicity Passon was first in 1:00.82. The final of the event will be held tomorrow.

The ladies continued to dominate the semi-finals as Erin Gallagher (18) also raced to a FINA Junior World Championships qualification time of 26.14 in the 50m freestyle, to the required 26.47.

Douglas Erasmus was quick off the block in the 50m butterfly semi-final, finishing first in 24.16, ahead of Reynard Wessels in 24.28 and Zane Waddell in 24.29.

In the multi-disability section, Aaron Putz won the gold in the 100m backstroke (S14-S15) in a time of 1:14.64, followed by Raymond de Freitas in 1:16.27 and Valentino Vergotine in 1:21.33, while Jean Pretorius brought home the gold in the S1-S13 category in 1:10.75 ahead of Franco Smit in 1:11.67 and Dave Williams in 1:27.45.

On the ladies side, the 100m backstroke (S14-S15) gold went to Christelle Kriel in 1:18.94, while Shannon Martins won the S1-S13 event in 1:31.24.

The day 02 heats will start at 10h00 while the finals will begin at 18h00 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 and Rand Water.

Qualifying Times following Day 01 – 17th FINA World Championships:

  • Cameron van der Burgh – 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:00.07

Qualifying Times following Day 01 – 6th FINA Junior World Swimming Championships:

  • Dune Coetzee – 100m butterfly (SF) – 1:01.67
  • Jarryd Baxter – 400m freestyle – 3:51.85
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:17.80
  • Gabi Grobler – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.17
  • Christina Mundell – 200m individual medley (SF) – 2:20.51
  • Michael Houlie – 100m breaststroke (SF) – 1:02.55
  • Daniel Swanepoel – 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:02.80
  • Bryce Skea– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:02.88
  • Duncan Rudolph– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.36
  • Bailey Musgrave– 100m breaststroke (SF) -1:03.56
  • Erin Gallagher – 50m freestyle (SF) – 24.16

 

Home Interviews Sports Swimming Tuks Swimming

Fresh & Hungry – Amber Summer Smith

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Amber Smith is exactly as her name states “a precious jewel” not only our SA swimming arena but also in other areas in life. Just like a beautiful piece of jewelry, she had to go through some tough moments of “fire”, in her swimming career, but she still managed to rise all the way to the top – as true champions do! She says” I am back and I have bigger goals. Stopping swimming was a terrible decision but it motivated me to coming back and working harder than ever before”.

About who she is she says “I would say I am a very dedicated, motivated and hard working person. Many of my qualities I have learnt from my old coaches Mr and Mrs Melton, John Wright, Dominque Donner, Linda De Jager and my current coach Rocco Meiring, my Mom and my swimming teammates. It is because of the amazing people in my life that I strive to give only my best and dream big”. She is also a decicated academic at Crawford College Pretoria.

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name & Surname Amber Summer Smith
Date of birth 11 June 1999
Place of birth Cape Town
Current City Pretoria
Height 1.57m
Weight 66kg
Shoe Size 7-8
Club Tuks Swimming
Coach’s Name Rocco Meiring
Secondary Sport/ sports Open water swimming
Favorite City Could not pick a favorite, all the city’s in our country are beautiful.
Favorite Song/ type of music All music and all songs by Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Shaun Mendes and Twenty one pilots.
Favorite Movie I can’t choose a favorite but enjoy watching Disney films and comedies.
School & Grade Crawford College Pretoria, Grade 12
Instagram and Facebook amber_summer_smith
Parents Names, siblings Mother – Tracy-lee Smith

Brothers – Aryn and Kaylan Geekie

INTERVIEW:

Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your Swimming, tell me a little bit about how you started in Swimming and your journey in the Swimming arena up to now?

I really enjoy swimming and it has become my life! I enjoy the training, the traveling, the people and most of all competing, however swimming did not come easy to me. I started swimming in grade 4 when I was 10 and it was after I swam an inter-house gala that the coaches at my school spoke to my parents and told them that I should start training. I had always loved the water and was always in the pool as a kid but In the beginning I did not like the idea of training so many hours and would often ask my mom not to go but as stubborn and hard working as my mom is she did not allow me to miss any training because she knew that I was made to swim. For this I am forever grateful. As I began swimming more galas meeting more people I was hooked and swimming became my everything. I started to grow and swim better and faster. Everything was going well until 3 years ago I made the decision to stop swimming, my parents got divorced and my mom and I moved up to Pretoria. After 8 months I realized that I need to swim that I missed swimming. As I started training again it was tough, I was 18kg heavier and unfit but I didn’t give up I made sure I attended every training session. It took me 2 years but now I’m on top of my game. I am back and I have bigger goals. Stopping swimming was a terrible decision but it motivated me to coming back and working harder than ever before.

Q: Who are you? Describe yourself as a person.

I would say I am a very dedicated, motivated and hard working person. Many of my qualities I have learnt from my old coaches Mr and Mrs Melton, John Wright, Dominque Donner, Linda De Jager and my current coach Rocco Meiring, my Mom and my swimming teammates. It is because of the amazing people in my life that I strive to give only my best and dream big. My biggest challenge would be Matric because of the demanding work load I need to ensure that I stay focused on my goals

Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Swimming and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?

I would say that my biggest achievement in swimming was being able to swim at Nationals  and being able to see swimmers from South Africa qualify for Olympics, it was a spectacular experience and although I have not been at the top I have big dreams, though preparation I am willing to work as hard as I need to reach my dreams. I must say my biggest personal accomplishment would defiantly be making the decision to come back into the swimming.

Q: What do you do to relax?

I’m not really one who relaxes, I enjoy being busy all the time. I enjoy traveling and being adventurous. I enjoy cycling, surfing, ice skating, go-karting and riding dirt bikes. I enjoy going out to lunches and dinners with friends, having movie nights and going to music festivals.

Q: In your opinion, what is the value of Education in a young person’s life?

I believe education is very important and it is the foundation on which we build on. Education helps people to understand and connect. I have never been a person who loves school but I have always tried to give my best, with a good education you are aware of what is needed to succeed. This will give you the strength to know that you have the ability to do anything you put your mind too.

Q: So, you are a brilliant swimmer and academic – but name 1 thing that you suck at 🙂

If I would have to say something I would say my weakness is saying no to chocolate!

Q: What is your personal favorite motivational quote?

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do”- Michael Phelps

Everyday people are finding more ways to get faster and if you are not willing to go the extra mile you won’t be able to keep up with the people who will.

 

Q: In your opinion, how do you define success in life / how do you define a successful person?

Success means different things to different people however everyone knows the extraordinary feeling of success. Success is the outcome of big dreams with no excuses, success is the ability to face challenges and overcome obstacles by making sacrifices.  Success is the result of the hard work. A successful person is someone who never gives up and is always focused and fearless in pursuing their dream.

Q: What’s your WHY ?  Why do you do what you do?

I love swimming. It is a part of my everyday routine, most people don’t understand that training to swimmers is like going to school, you must do it and there are no off days. Swimmers must always look for ways to improve and to do this they must try new things that others are not willing to, with my dream of competing with the best I hope that one day I can inspire younger athletes that by going the extra mile you are not crazy but rather the opposite you are enthusiastic and devoted.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

Swimming is my life and I one day hope to be a swimming coach, to motivate and inspire other young athletes to reach for their dreams.

 

 

Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!

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