Four gold and two silver medals for the South African swimming team in Brazzaville
Cameron van der Burgh blew away the opposition in the 100m breaststroke final, securing Mzansi’s first gold medal in a new Championship Record time of 1:00.19, ahead of Egypt’s Yossif Elkamash in 1:02.42 and Tunisia’s Wassim Elloumi in 1:02.79. Alaric Basson finished 6th in the race in 1:03.73.
Myles Brown followed with a gold medal winning performance in the 200m freestyle, touching the wall in a new Championship Record time of 1:47.77. Egypt’s Marwan Elkamash won the silver in 1:48.58 and Tunisia’s Ahmed Mathlouti the bronze in 1:49.29. KZN’s Calvyn Justus ended 4th in the event with a time of 1:49.58.
In the 50m backstroke, Western Province’s Jessica Ashley Cooper was fast off the block to win the title in 29.05, ahead of Botswana’s Naomi Ruele in 29.70 and Seychelles’ Alexus Laird in 30.07.
Limpopo’s Rita Naude finished 5th in 30.58.
The ladies were not done for the night as Rene Warnes, Marlies Ross, Charlise Oberholzer and Karin Prinsloo grabbed the gold medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay in 8:20.28.
Prinsloo also went on to win the silver in the 100m freestyle with a time of 55.69, ahead of Egypt’s Rwan Elbadry in 57.03 and behind gold medalist Farida Osman, also from Egypt, in 55.41.
South Africa’s second silver medal came from Ricky Ellis in the 50m backstroke when he clocked 25.89 behind Egypt’s Mohamed Samy in 25.71.
In other results, Ross finished 4th in the 400m freestyle in 5:01.79, while Megan van Wyk came in 6th in the same event in 5:03.06. Ross also ended in 5th place in the 100m freestyle in 57.94.
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. Swimming South Africa is kindly supported by SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA and Rand Water.
Please visit www.swimsa.org for further information and news regarding Swimming South Africa.