News Archive - March 2010

29 March 2010

Telkom SA Level 1 Regional Championships conclude after three days of exceptional display of talent - Final Day

The Telkom SA Level 1 Championships held from 27 to 29 March in Sasolburg, Bloemfontein and Oudtshoorn ended today on a high note.

In the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn there were two interesting duels, one which saw the return to form of Bailey Desmarais (Vineyard), the other between Marcus Gunton (Walmers) and Taufeeq James (Westridge Swimming Club).

Bailey had a superb day 1 with 3 Golds and 1 Silver, but had to settle for only a Silver on day 2. On the final day, she was back to her imperious ways by dominating the girls 11 year age category in the 100m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle. But in the duel for top spot in the 200m Backstroke she succumbed to Savanna Best (Cape Dolphins).

Coming into the final day Taufeeq James and Marcus Gunton split 8 Gold Medals between them and the 100m Butterfly race between the two of them was highly anticipated. Taufeeq – who had 5 of the 8 Gold Medal split between the pair – was just too strong and won the Gold Medal quite comfortably. Certainly Taufeeq has bundles of talent and this will not have gone unnoticed. The 11 year old Westridge swimmer ended the 3 day competition with a total of 7 Gold Medals and one Silver Medal. Juandre Otto of Fish Eagle Aquatics was the only swimmer able to top James when he beat him into second place in the 50m Freestyle. Still, James’ seven Gold medal haul is nothing to sneeze at and he is certainly one of the young swimmers that Swimming South Africa will be monitoring for the future.

The final day in Sasolburg belonged to two swimmers. No surprise that one of them happened to be Louw Oberholzer. The 10 year old from Diadora Aquatics in Gauteng North, had already clinched 6 Gold Medals and 2 Silver over the fist two days of competition. On day 3 he added a further 3 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and a Bronze Medal. One Silver Medal came in the 200m Backstroke where he competed against swimmers two years his senior and in these age categories. Clearly Oberholzer is not afraid to jump up the age ladder as he took on the 11 year olds in the 100m Butterfly and was rewarded with a Bronze Medal. The Gold Medals on day 3 came in the 50m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke and the 50m Breaststroke. His second Silver of the day was in the 4x50m Freestyle Relay where he swam the anchor leg for his club.

The other youngster who made waves was 10 year-old Ime Sinclair of Centurion. Ime trumped her older compatriots in the 200m Backstroke where she claimed Gold in the 12 year-age division. Two more Golds came in the 50m Breaststroke and the 4x50m Freestyle Relay. Ime had to settle though for Bronze in the 50m Freestyle to take her medal tally for the day to four.

In Bloemfontein, Kyle Sampson (Seals) and Celine Els (Seals) once again showed their class by adding a further two medals on the day to their total tally. Els won Gold in the 200m Backstroke but had to settle for silver in the 50m Freestyle. Kyle Sampson on the other hand had a clean sweep with two Golds in the 50m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle races in the 12 year age category.
Swimming South Africa have had the opportunity to identify a whole host of talented youngsters in the Telkom SA Level 1, 2 and 3 Championships where the future prospects of the sport in South Africa displayed their skills.

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28 March 2010

Telkom SA Level 1 Regional Championships continue on the hunt for medals - Day 2

The Telkom SA Level 1 Regional Championships in Sasolburg, Bloemfontein and Oudtshoorn continued to deliver superb performances on the second day of the competition, particularly in the 10 and under and 11 year age groups.

In Oudtshoorn, Taufeeq James (Westridge Swimming Club), who on day 1 of the championships won 2 Gold Medals and was promoted to the Level 2 competition in the 200m breaststroke, continued where he left off yesterday. Taufeeq won 3 more Gold Medals in the 50m Butterfly, 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke. There is no doubt that this young talent has the ability to go far in the sport. His versatility over the different disciplines being testament to that.
From Walmers Swimming Club, Marcus Gunton’s performance in the 200m Breaststroke on the first day has clearly spurred him on as he won Gold in the 50m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke in the 12 year old age category.

Not to be outdone 13 year-old Christoffel Van Zyl (Barracudas) bagged 3 Gold Medals today (28 March). Van Zyl came up trumps in the 200m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke and 100m Backstroke.
Whilst on the ladies side there was also some top class racing. Anine Van Rooyen (Barracudas), Savanna Best (Cape Dolphins) and Kara Schwulst (Aquabear) were a class apart in the 10 and under age group. Van Rooyen winning Gold in the 200m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke, Savanna Best proving too strong in the 100m Backstroke (edging Bailey Desmarais who had 3 Golds and a Silver on day 1) and Kara Schwulst the strongest in the 50m Butterfly.

The Kenyan contingent will no doubt be in high spirits, after Alexander Onyango and Nobby Obuya claimed a Gold and Silver medal on the day.

In Bloemfontein there were a number of stand-outs winning multiple medals with the pick of the crop being Reuben Schoeman (Trident) who had a 5 Gold Medal haul over the last two days. Schoeman was triumphant in the 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke.

In the ladies 13 age group Nothando Msomi has raised eyebrows with her swimming. The News NN swimmer winning 3 Golds (200m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle, 200m IM) and a silver in the 200m Freestyle.

The 10 year old Celine Els (Seals) was also impressive with her victories in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle.

Moving further North to Sasolburg, Louw Oberholzer is a man on a mission. On day 1 he pocketed 3 Golds and 1 Silver Medal. On day 2 he repeated that feat. Only Farr Evan was able to beat him in the 200m Freestyle. In all his other races, the 12 year old Oberholzer from Diadora Aquatics was in a class of his own in winning the 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke.

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27 March 2010

Telkom SA Level 1 Regional Championships show case huge talent - Day 1

It is quite clear that Swimming South Africa have a long term vision for the sport as they cater to all age groups and levels of swimming with the various Regional Championships. The weekend of the 27-29 March is no exception as the Telkom SA Level 1 Championships take place in Oudtshoorn, Sasolburg and Bloemfontein.

Swimming SA has also opened their doors to the rest of the continent and continually strives to raise the level of competition on the continent. “South Africa is a strong swimming nation and as such has a responsibility to help grow the sport in Africa and we are blessed with great facilities around the country, so we have to open our doors to the rest of the Continent“said Swim SA President Jace Naidoo.

Competing in Oudtshoorn is a contingent from Namibia and Kenya, and both countries have talent coming through, especially in the 10 year-old age group.
Saturday 27 March in Oudtshoorn was mainly made up of preliminary rounds and Namibia will be highly satisfied with the results of the squad of 18 swimmers in all age groups. Eleven of their squad have made finals.

Kenya have sent a huge delegation of 25, with most of the group ranging in ages between 8 and 14, the perfect age group to find future talent.

But as expected, Western Province swimmers are one again in dominant form in their region. Eleven year old James Taufeeq already has two gold medals behind his name in the 100m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke respectively. Taufeeq’s performances in the 200 Breastroke where he swam a time of 3:17.85 should see him being promoted to Level 2 for the new season.
Based on their performances, other swimmers that should be joining Taufeeq at the Level 2 Competition next year is Marcus, J Gunton of Walmers SC-WP (200m Breaststroke 12 Years), 13 year old Christoffel van Zyl (200m Breaststroke), Udo N Neumann, the 13 year old from Namibia (200m Breaststroke).

Another youngster who really has caught the eye is Vineyards Desmarais Bailey winning Gold in the 100m Freestyle, 200 IM, 4x50m IM and silver in the 50 Backstroke.

In Sasolburg, young Louw Oberholzer from Diadora Aquatics in Gauteng North is making waves. The 10 year old had already bagged 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal. This in itself is very impressive, but the most impressive result is that one of his Gold medals came in the 200 IM for 12 year olds. The other medals coming in the 100m Freestyle (Gold), 50m Backstroke (Gold) and 200m Breaststroke (Silver).

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22 March 2010

The Telkom SA Level 2 Championships conclude on a high note

The two glamour sports at the Olympic Games are undoubtedly swimming and athletics, and swimming is clearly in good hands if the last 4 days of competition at the Telkom SA National Level 2 Regional Championships are anything to go by. The Championships were held simultaneously in PE, Durban and Germiston and of particular interest to Swimming South Africa has been the U11 age group as that is where the stars for 2016 and 2020 will be coming from.

Some of the stars in Germiston were the likes of Neil Fair from Centurion Swimming Club in the 13 age group. Neil won Gold in the 200m Backstroke, 400m freestyle and 200m IM, whilst 11 year old Ude Fuchs from the Progress Swimming Academy pocketed 4 Gold Medals and will have raised his hand as someone to look out for in the future. Fuchs was triumphant in the 50m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke and 400m Freestyle.

12 year old Jade Taylor Kelsey (Barracuda Swimming Club) is another one to look out for in the next few years as she was utterly dominant in the 12 year old Category winning 5 Gold Medals. Her versatility is clearly evident after being crowned Champion in the 50m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, and 200m Freestyle.

In Port Elizabeth, Barracudas’ Thys Basson and Brandon Arlow were two names who showed they are bright prospects for the next 10 years, whilst in Durban, Nikita Baurishene (Westville) continued to haul in the medals after winning Gold in the 200m Breaststroke in 3m10.46, adding to the Gold in the 400m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle and the Silver in the 100m Breaststroke.

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21 March 2010

The Telkom SA Level 2 Championships continue to impress

Things are heating up on the second-last day of the Telkom SA Level 2 Championships which are being held simultaneously in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg.

It was the battle of the Barracudas in PE tonight as Thys Basson claimed two more gold medals in the 100m freestyle (1:06.83) and 200m individual medley (2:49.12), outracing his team-mate Brandon Arlow who won silver in both events (1:07.14 and 2:49.91 respectively).

Later in the evening Basson also raced to his second silver medal in the 50m breaststroke (41.11).

11 year old Arlow holds gold in the 100m butterfly, 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke.

Times were certainly on the rise in Durban as Nakita Bauristhere continued to shine adding two more gold medals to her record in the 100m freestyle (1:05.88) and 200m individual medley (2:42.44), taking her total to five gold and one silver.

Seals’ Tshiamo Tshabalala was in fantastic form taking home her second gold medal of the competition in the 50m breaststroke (36.05) and silver in the 200m individual medley (2:54.67).

Nathania van Niekerk from PSA in Limpopo took Germiston to new levels of excellence tonight following her two gold in the 100m backstroke (1:14.10) and 200m individual medley (2:40.32) and silver in the 100m freestyle (1:09.89). Van Niekerk also claimed two gold in the 400m freestyle and 50m backstroke, silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly over the course of the championship.

Tomorrow sees the final day of swimming action take place at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth, Delville Swimming Pool in Germiston and the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

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20 March 2010

Bauristhene shines and leads multiple medal spree on the second days of the Telkom SA Level 2 Championships

Westville’s Nikita Bauristhene led the way of a multiple medal spree at the Telkom SA Level 2 Regional Championships held in PE, Durban and Germiston from 19-22 March.

Bauristhene had already won gold in the 11 and under age group in the 400m Freestyle on day 1 of the Championships (19 March) and came out guns blazing today, adding the 200m Freestyle title to her name with a time of 2:21.26 and a Silver in the 100m Breaststroke in 1:29.75.

Still in Durban, Leah Prinsloo (14) won Gold and Silver in the 200m Freestyle and the 100m Breaststroke to open her medal tally of the Championships.

Further North Caitlin Bosma and Jade Kelsey Taylor claimed two Gold Medals apiece, whilst Cecile Oliver bagged Gold and Silver tonight. Bosma was too strong in the Girls U11 Age Group claiming her Gold Medals in the 200m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke respectively, as did Jade Kelsey Taylor in the Girls 12 year Age Category.

Cecile winning her Gold (Girls U13) in the 200m Freestyle, but had to settle for Silver in the 100m Breaststroke behind Misty Bathelor.

In PE, Brandon Arlow lived up to expectations in the Boys U11 200m Freestyle with a convincing win over Thys Basson.

The action continues tomorrow at the newly renovated Newton Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth, the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Duran and the Delville Swimming Pool in Germiston.

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19 March 2010

The Telkom SA Level 2 Championships begin on a high note

It would appear that on day one of the Telkom SA Level 2 SA Regional Championships, that the swimmers from the Western and Eastern Cape hold the upper hand over their rivals from KZN and Gauteng.

Tonight’s finals were all 400m freestyle races. The Telkom SA Level 2 SA Regional Championships are currently taking place from 19-22 March in PE, Durban and Johannesburg. The fastest time of the night recorded in the U11 Boys 400m Freestyle came courtesy of Ude Fuchs in Germiston with a time of 5:08.90. The U11 age category is of particular interest to Swimming South Africa, as this is the age group that will form the back bone of potential members of the national team in the future.

But for Fuchs from the Progress Swimming Academy being the fastest in the boys U11 400m Freestyle, it was the coastal regions that came up trumps in all the other races, if you do a time comparison.

Nakita Bauristhene from the Westville Swimming Club, was streaks ahead of the rest of the swimmers in the girls U11 400m Freestyle race, touching the wall in 4:57.21 – the only swimmer to go under 5 minutes. Nakita will be one to watch over the next few days with such a performance.

The boys and girls U12 age group was dominated by the Western Cape and Eastern Cape swimmers with Joshua Bellairs (Aquabear) proving to be the best of the lot in the boys race (5:13.42) and Mieke Visser from Barracuda Swimming Club (5:09.57) in the girls. Visser was 5 seconds ahead of her nearest rival Nina Finch (5:14.40), from UWC and Rebecca Haines (Cape Dolphins) clocking 5:16.30.

The battle in the boys U13 would have seen a close tussle between Misha Koopman (SwimCats) and Neil Farr (Centurion) had they been in the same pool. As it is though, on time Koopman is the fastest 13 year old with a time of 4:54.71 to Farr’s 4:55.75.

SwimCats’ Keenan April shone in the boys u14 race in PE, needing only 4min 47.31 seconds for the 8 laps of the 50m pool.

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18 March 2010

The Future of swimming hits Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg

The Telkom SA Level 2 Regional Championships will hit Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg from the 19 to 22 March where the 11 and under age categories will be closely watched as they are the future of Swimming in South Africa.

Names such Jessica Liss, Karin Prinsloo, Joshua Kriel are synonymous with this age group and hold a number of records. In the case of Jessica Liss and Karin Prinsloo, both, although still very young have already entered the competition at Senior Level.

Swimming South Africa will be watching this age group quite closely as this is where the next crop of superstars will emerge from.

The Western Cape’s Brandon Arlow will certainly bear watching as he heads the regional rankings in the 50m Freestyle and 50m and 100m Butterfly, 2nd in the 100m and is 3rd in the 200m Freestyle respectively. It is clear he will have a huge battle with Thys Basson in those two events as Thys is marginally ahead of Brandon in the 100m and 200m Freestyle.

Sure to carve names for themselves are Lisa Fourie and Jo-Mari Kleinhans. Lisa is quite clearly the dominant swimmer in her age group 11 and under in the 50m Freestyle but will have a bit of a tussle in the 200m IM with I van Der Westhuizen. In fact Van Der Westhuizen enjoys a 2/100ths second advantage over Fourie, but that is too close a margin to allocate favourite status to Van Der Westhuizen.

Jo-Mari Kleinhans heads up the rankings for the region in the 50m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle and 200m Backstroke, showing her versatility.

The competition runs from the 19-22 March in the Newton Park Pool in Port Elizabeth.

The action will not be confined to Port Elizabeth this weekend. Delville Swimming Pool in Germiston will be setting their own standard over the same period as will the Kings Park Pool in Durban. All these regions have in the past delivered strong performances and four days from 19-22 March will prove no different. Heats session will begin from 08h30 with the finals starting at 17h00 at the three venues.

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17 March 2010

It was a night for the record books as the final day of the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships and Youth Olympic Trials came to a conclusion at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pool in East London.

13 year old Mark Hunter broke his own Age Group Record of 2:30.77 in the 200 metres breaststroke, which he set in 2009, with a new time of 2:29.88.

In the same age group, Mathys Goosen from Gauteng broke the five year old record, previously held by Kristopher Matulovich, in the 100 metres butterfly with a time of 58.58, showing that young talent is certainly on the rise.

Pretoria’s golden girl, Natasha de Vos was over the moon with her A Qualification time of 2:15.48 in the 200 metres backstroke. She won 4 golds and 1 silver medal over the five day competition.

Chad Le Clos added another A Qualification time to his name as he sped to a 54.37 in the 100 metres butterfly. Le Clos has four qualification times under his belt in the 400 metres freestyle, 200 metres individual medley, 100 metres backstroke and 100 metres butterfly.

The final Youth Olympic Games Team will be selected and announced by the National Olympic Committee, SASCOC.

The Telkom SA Level 2 National Swimming Championships will take place next week from 19 – 22 March in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

Results can be found on the Swimming South Africa website.

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16 March 2010

Bosch sets Olympic Youth Qualifying time in the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships

If Chad Le Clos and Murray McDougall set the early pace in raising their arms for consideration to the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August (subject to final selection by SASCOC), then 16 year-old Dylan Bosch also raised his hand up high. Bosch, who hails from Central Gauteng was a full second faster than Murray McDougall in the 200m IM tonight in the Joan Harrison Pool at the Telkom Level 3 National Championships in East London.

Bosch clocked 2min 5.17 sec for the 200m IM with McDougall touching the wall in 2min 6.18sec. McDougall though won’t be too upset, as he has already swam Youth Olympic Games A-Qualifying time in the 100m backstroke (with a SA age group record).

In the 17 year category, Chad Le Clos swam his 3rd A-Qualification time in as many events. After setting the bar on day one of the championships in the 400m Freestyle, Le Clos then showed off his talent in the 200m Butterfly on day two and 200m IM tonight.

Dylan is clearly a talented young swimmer after bagging 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze Medals at the recent CGA Championships and the Qualification time should come as no surprise.

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15 March 2010

EP Open Water Swim Series ends on a high note

Michael Marais and Jessica Roux emerged as the leading swimmers in the Eastern Province Open Water Swim Series that was held at Marina Martinique, Jeffreys Bay during the 09/10 swim season.

Six events, sanctioned by Swim South Africa were held during the summer which catered for the different distances in open water swimming from the 10 K right through to the entry level 1 K.

Both Marais and Roux will be competing in the 10 K swim at the South African Senior National Swim Championships in Durban during April after having recorded qualifying times in their first attempt over this distance.

Both swimmers improved their times dramatically over the past weekend when the last event of the series was held in Jeffreys Bay. Marais swam a 2 hours 09:19 while Jessica Roux recorded an impressive 2 hours 12:29 which should ensure that she will be at the business end of the 10 K women’s race at the South African Championships.

Mike Zoetmulder, the organizer of the Series said he was impressed with the entries for the last 10 K event of the season. “In addition to our top competitive swimmers, we had another six entrants in the 10K, all of them over the age of 40 which shows the sport has appeal to the top master’s swimmers as well as the open age group”, said Zoetmulder.

Brenton Williams, the coach of the local swim club won the 10K master’s race from Russel Tucker with Greg Tucker, both from Port Elizabeth taking third spot. SanMarie Woithe won the women’s masters race.

Michael Marais then followed up on his 10K win by taking the honours in the 5K swim the following day, beating the ever improving Jonathan Roux into second position. Tammy Geyer won her first 5K swim of the season, finishing ahead of Mary Anne Stott.

Open water swim stalwart Rebecca Newman won the 3 K event while master’s swimmer JC van Wyk had an impressive swim to win the men’s race.

Download the series results here.

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14 March 2010

Golden girl Vanessa breaks SA Age Group Record in the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships

Fifteen-year old Vanessa Mohr of Northern Tigers was in record breaking mood on the third day of the Telkom SA Level 3 National Aquatic Championships in East London on Sunday 14 March as she took 9/100th’s off the 5 year old record of Chanelle Van Wyk.

Mohr is a five time Gold Medallist from the Africa Junior Championships in 2009, claiming top spot in the 100m butterfly and backstroke as well as the 200m freestyle and in the 4x100m Medley & Freestyle Relays.

Back in 2005 Chanelle Van Wyk clocked 27.98sec, today Mohr dipped under 27.90sec when she touched the wall in 27.89sec. “I have put some really hard work and the results are beginning show, so I am extremely happy.” Earlier Vanessa had finished second in the 100m freestyle behind Kayla Ferreira.

Vanessa wasn’t the only one to shine tonight. They may have missed out on yet more Olympic Qualification times, but both Chad Le Clos and Murray McDougall added more silver ware, or is that gold ware, to their collection tonight. McDougall winning the 50m Butterfly and the 100m Freestyle in the 16 year age group, whilst Le Clos won Gold in the 400m IM and two Silver Medals - so it is also Silverware – in the 50m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle in the 17-18 Age categories.

Results can be found on the Swimming South Africa website.

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13 March 2010

Le Clos and McDougall in scintillating form on the second day of the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships Chad le Clos

After setting an A-Qualification time in the 400m Freestyle for the Olympic Youth Games on Friday night at the Telkom Level 3 National Swimming Championships in the Joan Harrison Pool in East London, Le Clos decided he was not done yet. Tonight Le Clos also qualified in the 200m Butterfly.

But Le Clos was not alone in showing off fine form. Murray McDougal, who like Le Clos is no stranger to international competition being a multiple African Junior Championships Gold Medalist in 2009, qualified in the 100m backstroke with a new SA Age Group record of 57.07sec. Both Le Clos and McDougall train with Graham Hill at the Seagulls club in Durban.

There were more records on offer in the ladies 50m breaststroke and 200m freestyle. Taryn Mackenzie of Central Gauteng broke the SA Age Group Record earlier in the day during the heats of the 50m Breaststroke for women in the 16 years age group.

Kayla Ferreira of Northern Tigers set a new SA Age Group record in the 200m Freestyle.

The Telkom Level 3 National Swimming Championships serve as the qualifiers for the Olympic Youth Games. After the Championships in East London, Swimming South Africa will be presenting a Squad to SASCOC who will then make the final Team Selection.

Results can be found on the Swimming South Africa website.

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12 March 2010

Youth Olympic Trials get off to a flying start at the first day of the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships

KwaZulu Natal schoolboy sensation Chad Le Clos continues in 2010 where he left off in 2009 by racing to an A Qualifying time for the Olympic Youth Games in Singapore in August this year. Le Clos, a Grade 12 Student at Westville Boys High, made waves in 2009 at the Mare Nostrum in Barcelona when he finished second in the 400m IM.

Tonight, at the Joan Harrison Pool in a windy East London at the Telkom SA Level 3 Championships, Le Clos was again the shining star when he clocked 3:56.97 (A Qualifying Time) in the 400m freestyle Men 17-18 Years. Le Clos is no stranger to International Competition as he has swam in the World Cup in Durban as well as the Mare Nostrum and tonight’s performance is another step forward for him in his endeavours to make the trip to London in 2012 for the Olympic Games.

Le Clos having qualified according to the stringent time standards as set out by FINA, the world governing body for Aquatics, will now await the final verdict from SASCOC as to whether his place on the team to the Youth Olympic Games has been secured.

According to the rules published by the International Olympic Committee, only female swimmers born between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 1994 and males born between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1993 are eligible for the Olympic Youth Games and each participating country will be limited to a maximum team size of 8 swimmers; 4 male swimmers and 4 female swimmers. This though did not stop a whole host of good performances being clocked tonight in the only finals of the evening, the 400m freestyle events.

Results can be found on the Swimming South Africa website.

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09 March 2010

Youth Olympic Trials action at this year’s Telkom SA Level 3 Swimming Championships

Fast times are on the cards as South Africa’s young talent prepares to race for A qualifying times at the Telkom SA Level 3 Swimming Championships, taking place at the Joan Harrison Swimming Pool in East London from 12 to 16 March 2010, in an attempt to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.

Girl power will be on display when rising swim stars such as Vanessa Mohr, Oneida Cooper and Peggy De Villiers lead the challenge for medals at the five-day event.

Mohr, 15, who hails from Tshwane, rose to fame in winning 7 gold and 1 silver medal in the same event last year. She will line up in the 50, 100 and 200 metres butterfly, 50 and 100 metres freestyle and the 50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke.

Peggy De Villiers from Cape Town, who has a hearing disability, will be in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle line up, while Gauteng-based Cooper will show her skills in the backstroke races as she swims the 50, 100 and 200 metres.

Among the boys, KZN’s Chad le Clos (50, 100 and 200 metres backstroke, 50, 100, 200 and 400 metres freestyle, 50, 100 and 200 metres butterfly, 200 and 400 metres individual medley and 200 metres breaststroke) has the potential to produce adrenalin-rush performances that will make the trip to East London more than worth the while.

Competition will be stiff with local favourite Luke Pendock from Border Aquatics in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle, with Eastern Province’s Giles Mayberry taking to the water in the 50 metres freestyle, 50 metres breaststroke and 50 metres butterfly.

Also participating are Tshwane’s Pierre Kuene (50 and 100 metres freestyle and 50 and 100 metres butterfly), Western Province’s Lyle Aloile (50 and 100 metres freestyle, 50 metres butterfly and 50 and 100 meters backstroke) and KZN’s Brett Walsh (50 and 100 metres freestyle, 50 and 100 metres butterfly, 50 meters breaststroke and 50 metres backstroke).

In wishing the athletes the best of luck for the competition, Swimming SA CEO Shaun Adriaanse said: “SA’s Level 3 age group swimmers have a great opportunity to display their talent at these very important Youth Olympic Trials and I am sure we will witness history in the making as they strive for qualification and inclusion by SASCOC in the team which will represent South Africa in Singapore.”

The daily programme in East London will see heat sessions starting at 08h30 with the evening’s programme of finals commencing at 17h00.

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02 March 2010

Redhouse Mile success on Sundays River

PEOPLE came in droves yesterday to support the 86th annual Spar Redhouse River Mile, held at Cannonville on the banks of the Sundays River.

The place was packed to capacity despite earlier concerns that the change of venue could attract a small entry.

However, this failed to dampen people’s spirits as they watched more than 350 participants in the men’s and women’s races flex their muscles to claim the top spot.

Everything was organised to the last detail as police maintained a strong presence. People enjoyed themselves taking helicopter and ferry boat rides.

The women and girls kicked off the event at 1pm. Girls of all ages, even five-year-olds, claimed the spotlight.

Dominique Drying, of Western Province, who is on top form after winning her provincial 10km championships earlier this year, defended her title successfully.

“The race was good. I really enjoyed it, though the wind was a bit annoying. Once I had noticed that I was leading, I ensured that I kept it that way,” she said.

In the men’s race, Chad Ho – who won last year – kept the cheering crowd in the palm of his hand as he finished first, successfully defending his championship.

Behind him was Frank Greeff, who last year finished third behind Ho.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the race.

“I ensured that I maintained a long gap between me and those trailing behind. Once I had started swimming I just kept on and everything just started rolling.”

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News Archive - March 2010

15 March 2010 Marais & Roux stamp their dominance

15 March 2010
Marais & Roux stamp their dominance