The South African Swimming Team raised their medal tally to 59 on the sixth day of the XII CANA African Swimming Championships

Leading the troop was 16 year old Mariella Venter, who took over a second off Mandy Loots’ 2010 Championship Record in the 200m backstroke, touching the wall in a golden 2:14.33 ahead of teammate Nathania van Niekerk in 2:15.49 and Seychelles’ Alexus Laird in 2:22.67.

Venter and Van Niekerk were also a part of the 4 x 100m medley relay team alongside Kaylene Corbett and Gabi Grobler and made the top of the medal podium in 4:18.92 ahead of Egypt in 4:21.71 and Algeria in 4:38.26.

Jarryd Baxter and Neil Fair followed with a gold and silver winning performance in the 200m individual medley in 2:04.68 and 2:05.37, respectively, while Egypt’s Mohamed Samy claimed the bronze in 2:08.22.

In the ladies 1500m freestyle race, Charlise Oberholzer and Michelle Weber were the gold and bronze champions in 17:20.44 and 17:55.43, while Algeria’s Souad Nefissa Cheroua claimed the silver in 17:44.35.

During the morning heats session, Douglas Erasmus broke the 2006 Championship Record in the 50m freestyle in 22.50 but that time was bettered in the evening finals by Algeria’s Oussama Sahnoune, who won the gold in 22.30, while Erasmus had to settle for the silver in 22.55. Egypt’s Samy won his second bronze of the evening in 23.08.

The 200m butterfly title was claimed by Algeria’s Sarah Hadj Abderrahma in 2:15.46, while the silver and bronze went to Egypt’s Mariam Sakr and Rowaida Hesham in 2:18.88 and 2:20.00, respectively.

Jacques van Wyk, Alaric Basson, Alard Basson and Calvyn Justus closed the sixth day of the competition by winning the 4 x 100m medley relay, clocking 3:44.60. Egypt and Morocco claimed the silver and bronze in 3:51.91 and 3:38.31 respectively.

Tomorrow will see the final day of the XII CANA African Swimming Championships with the Open Water 5km races taking place at the Maselspoort Dam from 11h00.

As part of their community outreach initiative, Swimming South Africa will also host a Rural Splash programme at the Dam from 09h00, where 60 kids have been identified to take part and 10 of them will showcase their talent as they also participate in the 1km race and another 10 will take part in the 400m fun swim.

Swimming South Africa’s qualified instructors will be on site to educate the youngsters on the importance of water safety education, vital swimming and survival skills.

Medal rankings (after day 06):

For photos from the XII CANA African Swimming Championships – Day 06, please visit - http://www.superimage.co.za/detail.aspx?i=1651 

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.