Rebecca Meder, Matthew Sates Cap South Africa Short Course Nationals With Titles

rebecca-meder-SA Short course swimming championships - Image: BOOGS Photography / Andrew Mc Fadden
Photo Courtesy: BOOGS Photography / Andrew Mc Fadden

The SA National Short Course Swimming Championships successfully concluded today with 5 athletes swimming a total of 10 FINA Qualification times during the four-day competition, which was held at the Seals Swim Centre in Pietermaritzburg. Eighteen-year-old Rebecca Meder continued to shine, winning gold and a bronze medal during the final day.

In the 400m individual medley, Meder was fast off the block to claim the title in 4:44.71, over 2.33secs ahead of Samantha Randle in 4:47.04 and Emily Visagie in 4:49.88.

Meder also scooped the bronze medal in the 50m freestyle in 25.72 behind Erin Gallagher in 24.80 and Aimee Canny in 25.39, with Gallagher’s time just 0.20secs from the 24.60 FINA requirement.

Matthew Sates finished off the Championships with a gold medal in the 400m individual medley, touching the wall in 4:11.51, followed by Andrew Ross in 4:19.88 and Ruan Ras in 4:19.94, while in the fast-pace 50m freestyle, Sates managed a bronze medal in 22.62.

The freestyle gold and silver were won by Douglas Erasmus and Pieter Coetze in 22.17 and 22.58, respectively.

In the long distance races, the top three spots in the 800m freestyle went to Leigh McMorran in 8:49.69, Catherine van Rensburg in 8:52.02 and Randle in 8:53.90, while the gold, silver and bronze in the 1500m freestyle were claimed by Dante Nortje, Roberto Gomes and Connor Buck in 15:26.53, 15:52.14 and 16:05.88, respectively.

Christian Sadie wrapped up the event with two more South African Records, this time in the S7 200m individual medley with a time of 2:31.64 and the S7 50m freestyle in 28.73.

Swimming South Africa’s High Performance Manager, Dean Price, said that what they have seen over the last few days of competition is very exciting and the swimmers are highly motivated.

“We have had an incredible Championships here in Pietermaritzburg with a lot of standout performances, like Matthew Sates, who has been lifting the standard on the men’s side and of course powerhouse Tatjana Schoenmaker breaking South African and African records.

“We have also seen the likes of Rebecca Meder, Aimee Canny and Kaylene Corbett put in some fantastic times and we have been very excited with the performances all around.” concluded Price.

Final FINA World Championships Qualification Times:

  • Matthew Sates – 400m freestyle – 3:43.55
  • Matthew Sates – 100m butterfly – 50.72
  • Matthew Sates – 100m individual medley – 52.87
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker – 100m breaststroke – 1:03.89 (African Record)
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker – 200m breaststroke – 2:18.02 (African Record)
  • Tatjana Schoenmaker – 50m breaststroke – 30.20 (SA Record)
  • Rebecca Meder – 200m individual medley – 2:09.76
  • Rebecca Meder – 100m individual medley – 1:00.57
  • Aimee Canny – 100m individual medley – 1:00.31 (SA Record)
  • Kaylene Corbett – 200m breaststroke – 2:22.43

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Swimming South Africa. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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