Fast times and impressive performances were on the cards during the fifth day of the XII CANA African Swimming Championships
It was a fight to the finish in the 100m backstroke, where Mzansi’s Jacques van Wyk came from behind to take the gold in 56.50, with Egypt’s Mohamed Samy claiming the silver in 57.31 and SA’s Neil de Villiers the bronze in 57.43.
Eben Vorster cruised to the gold medal in the 200m butterfly, posting a fast 2:01.03, while Egypt’s Ahmed Hamdy finished second in 2:03.27 and Algeria’s Lounis Khendriche third in 2:03.48.
The long distance 1500m freestyle title went to Brent Szurdoki in 15:37.65, over ten seconds ahead of Egypt’s Marwan Elamrawy in 15:48.33 and teammate Josh Dannhauser in 16:00.17.
14 year old Rebecca Meder made it to the top of the medal podium once again, this time in the 200m individual medley in a golden 2:20.37 ahead of Algeria’s Rania Hamida Nefsi in 2:22.16 and Egypt’s Rowaida Hesham in 2:22.38.
Algeria’s Amel Melih, Egypt’s Rowan Badry and Seychelles’ Alexus Laird grabbed the medals in the 50m freestyle in 26.72, 27.02 and 27.03, respectively, making it the first race of the competition not to feature any SA swimmers on the podium.
Mariella Venter, Alaric Basson, Alard Basson and Gabi Grobler were victorious in the newly added 4 x 100m medley mixed relay in 3:59.28 ahead of the Egyptian team in 4:06.13 and Algeria in 4:18.61.
The final day of the swimming programme will be held tomorrow with the heats starting at 10h00, while the finals will begin at 16h00.
The XII CANA African Swimming Championships will conclude with the Open Water competition, which will take place on Sunday, 23rd October at Maselspoort Dam, from 11h00.
Medal rankings (after day 05):
|
Country |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Total |
|
South Africa |
27 |
13 |
10 |
50 |
|
Algeria |
5 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
|
Egypt |
2 |
16 |
15 |
33 |
|
Seychelles |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Morocco |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Senegal |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
For photos from the XII CANA African Swimming Championships – Day 05, please visit - http://www.superimage.co.za/detail.aspx?i=1650
ENDS
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. Swimming South Africa is kindly supported by SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA and Rand Water.