The South African swimming team finish with the top spot at the African Junior Swimming Championships

On the final day of the competition, Kristen Straszacke (15) won gold with a new Championship Record time of 5:09.32 in the 400m individual medley, while the silver went to Algeria’s Samar Khacha in 5:12.85 and the bronze to Uganda’s Rebecca Ssengonzi in 5:18.06.

Rebecca Meder (13) was victorious in the 200m freestyle with another Championship Record in 2:07.08, as teammate Dune Coetzee (13) grabbed the silver in 2:09.93. The bronze in the event went to Egypt’s Sara Hossam Hossny in 2:10.55.

Gold and a new Championship Record came the way of 13 year old Hanim Abrahams in the 50m breaststroke as she touched the wall in a fast 33.30, with the bronze medal going to SA’s Jade Simons (14) in 34.82 and the silver to Tunisia’s Habiba Belghith in 34.63.

Marna Heymans (16) and Gabi Grobler (16) were another gold and silver duo in the 50m breaststroke, finishing the race in 33.89 and 34.63 respectively. The bronze was claimed by Egypt’s Marim Ahmed Khalif in 34.88.

On the boys’ side, Gawie Nortje (14) claimed the top spot in the 100m freestyle with a time of 55.46, while the silver medal was shared between SA’s Ma'az Khota (14) and Botswana’s James Freeman, as they both finished in a time of 55.92.

In the 100m breaststroke, Michael Houlie (15) won gold in a new Championship Record time of 1:04.99 ahead of Tunisia’s Adnen Beji in 1:06.18 and Algeria’s El Hadj Abd Erreza in 1:06.46.

Jack Oliver (15) made his way to the top of the medal podium in the 100m backstroke, clocking a quick 59.29 ahead of Egypt’s Mazen Mohamed Isla in 1:00.57 and Tunisia’s Mohamed Aziz Ghaff in 1:01.02.

Roberto Gomes (15), Matthew Holder (14) and Leam Strydom (16) all bagged the silver medals in their respective races.

Gomes finished the 400m freestyle in 4:03.53, while Holder ended with a time of 31.26 in the 50m breaststroke and Strydom clocked 2:22.31 in the 200m backstroke.

To end off the competition on a high note, Carissa Van Rooyen, Abrahams, Coetzee and Meder won the 4 x 100m medley relay in a new Championship Record time of 4:24.61, while the Straszacker, Heymans, Strydom and Gabi Grobler won their respective relay race with a new Championship Record time of 4:25.34.

In the boys’ relay event, Oliver, Gomes, Houlie and Rafael Zasas claimed the gold in 3:57.95, while Luan Grobbelaar, Juvahn Singh, Holder and Nortje finished with the bronze in 4:09.63.

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.