Calvyn Justus Earns 50 Free Berth for South Africa After Long Injury Ordeal
Calvyn Justus sealed a place at the Commonwealth Games at the South African Championships on Friday, the 30-year-old hitting the time standard in the 50 freestyle.
Justus, an Olympian in Rio in 2016 who was unable to walk for a year due to debilitating back injuries, clocked in at 21.97 seconds in prelims. That hit the Commonwealth Games standard at the Bombela Concession Company South Africa National Aquatic Championships at Newton Park Swimming Pool.
Both he and winner Pieter Coetze were slower at night. But Justus finished second, and he’ll get another chance to swim the event this summer at the main meet in Glasgow.
“I went through a pretty bad back injury, took five years away from the sport. And when I healed up, I just wanted to do something with my body again,” Justus said. “I got back in the water pretty quickly, fell in love again and thought let me give it one more go.
“I herniated three discs, which pinched my sciatic nerve. … I lost like 20 kg. It was one of the lowest points in my life but when I healed from that I had a lot of motivation to get stronger and to use my body as much as I could.”
- Aimee Canny Off to Fast Start at South African Championships
- Pieter Coetze Adds Another Commonwealth Cut in 100 Free
Coetze went 22.04 in prelims to get to Commonwealths in a fourth event. He won the final in 22.29, with Justus second in 22.36, tied with Armand Landmann. Luke Beukes was fourth in 22.71, with Chad le Clos fifth in 22.74.
The sprinters were two of six qualifiers for Commonwealths on Friday in Gqeberha. Caitlin De Lange hit the standard in morning prelims of the women’s 50 free in 24.77 and then was quicker in finals in winning in 24.74. Jessica Thompson finished second in 25.02, with Olivia Nel third in 25.09.
There are three sprint breaststrokers bound for Glasgow. Lara Van Niekerk twice swam the standard, winning the women’s race in 30.50 at night. She missed last year’s national championships with a back injury and didn’t qualify earlier in the meet in the 100 breast.
Morgan Cope was second in 30.95. Kaylene Corbett fell short of qualification in fourth in 31.48, with Rebecca Meder fifth.
In the men’s race, both Chris Smith and Michael Houlie are going to Commonwealths. Smith won the race in 26.68. Houlie hit the time in prelims at 26.83, then finished second at night in 26.96.
Leigh McMorran won the women’s 200 fly in 2:14.33, edging Anje Van As by .12 seconds. Kris Mihaylov added another title by going 1:58.61 in the 200 fly, nearly six seconds up on a field that didn’t include le Clos.
Matthew Caldwell doubled up on distance titles by winning the 800 free in 8:03.69. He’d also won the 1,500. Callan Lotter went 8:41.13 to win the women’s 800.
South African Commonwealth Games qualifiers
- Aimee Canny: 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, 200 individual medley
- Pieter Coetzé: 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
- Kaylene Corbett: 200 breaststroke
- Cailtin de Lange: 50 freestyle
- Erin Gallagher: 100 butterfly
- Michael Houlie: 50 breaststroke
- Calvyn Justus: 50 freestyle
- Rebecca Meder: 200 individual medley
- Chris Smith: 50 breaststroke
- Jessica Thompson: 50 backstroke
- Lara van Niekerk: 50 breaststroke
- Ruard van Renen: 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke