News
Posted 18 August 2010 @ 11h35am
Du Toit Gold, Paul Silver
South Africa's Natalie Du Toit and Kevin Paul added to the medal tally of the Rainbow Nation on Tuesday 17 August at the IPC World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven when they won gold and silver in the 100m Freestyle (S9) and 100m Breaststroke (SB9) respectively.
World Record Holder Pavel Poltavtsev was unstoppable and won in a new world record time of 1:05.96 (previous record 1:06.93).
Ironically Paul was in the lead after 50m but was unable to maintain his pace and Poltavtsev was able to pass him. At the half way mark, Paul clocked 35.46sec to the 36.12 of the Russian.
Paul's preparation had been meticulous, having competed at the German National Championships in June and setting a world record in the 400m Individual Medley.
Paul is no stranger to these high-level competitions, having won the Gold Medal in the 100m Breaststroke in Beijing at the Paralympic Games.
Not to be outdone, Natalie Du Toit won Gold in the 100m Freestyle. Du Toit screamed through the first 50m in 30.43sec, before slowing down in the next 50m (32.36sec) to touch the wall in 1:02.79, over a second ahead of runner up, Great Britain's Stephanie Millward.
Du Toit has now won three Gold Medals (100m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley, 100m Freestyle) and one Bronze (100m Breaststroke).
Charl Bouwer had to settle for 4th in the 100m Butterfly S13 category improving his personal best from time 1:00.76 to 1:00.62.