Day 01 of the IPC Swimming World Championships
The 2015 competition also doubles as a qualification event for the 2016 Paralimpic Games which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 7 – 18 September 2016.
Flying the South African flag high, Hendri Herbst was fast off the block to claim the bronze medal in the S11 100m freestyle, clocking a Paralympic Qualification time of 1:00.35. The gold in the race went to USA’s Bradley Snyder in a new Championships Record time of 56.78 and the silver to Brazil’s Matheus Sousa in 59.20.
“I am very happy and proud to have won the first medal for Team SA, with the hope that it inspires my fellow team mates to achieve their own goals and personal bests.
“My first 50m was really good but I know I have to work on my back end speed when preparing for the Road to Rio 2016.” said Herbst.
In the S10 50m freestyle event, Kevin Paul broke his own 2012 record of 25.49 when he finished 8th in a new African and personal best time of 25.40.
On the ladies side, Beth Nothling finished the S5 50m backstroke final in 8th place with a Paralympic Qualification time of 55.92, while Emily Gray concluded the S9 100m backstroke final in 7th position with another Paralympic Qualification time of 1:16.27.
The second day of the IPC Swimming World Championships tomorrow will see Hendrik van der Merwe take to the water in the 100m breaststroke SB5 category, Emily Gray in the 100m freestyle S9 category and Paralympian Kevin Paul in the 200m individual medley SM10 category.
Paralympic Qualifying Times following Day 01:
• Hendri Herbst – 100m freestyle (S11)
• Beth Nothling – 50m backstroke (S5)
• Emily Gray – 100m backstroke (S9)
For further information please contact:
Swimming South Africa Marketing Coordinator
Thathani Gaba
082 304 1817
Swimming South Africa is the governing body of aquatics in South Africa.
Its objective is to encourage the practice of aquatic disciplines for all in South Africa with the purpose of promoting swimming as a life skill through Learn To Swim programmes; providing healthy exercise to South Africans of all ages and races; recruiting recreational swimmers to compete in the various competitions; and promoting competition and athlete development to the highest level.
Please visit www.swimsa.org for further information and news regarding Swimming South Africa.