Chad le Clos Doubles on Opening Night time of South African Quick Course Championships
Jessica Thompson and Chad le Clos kicked off the Bombela Concession Firm SA Nationwide (25m) Championships in Pietermaritzburg with two titles every on Thursday, each amassing golds within the 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
The 18-year-old Thompson claimed a snug victory within the 100m freestyle in 54.29 seconds earlier than doing the identical within the 50m butterfly in 25.66 seconds. She admitted afterward, although, that she hoped she would break the nationwide quick course report of 25.54 within the butterfly, a mark which has been held by Tayla Lovemore for the final seven years.
“I didn’t need to say something, however that’s type of what I used to be going for. The report has been standing since 2018,” she stated. “However to stroll away with two PBs, I’m actually pleased with that. I didn’t count on that, particularly contemplating the block of coaching I’ve had. So I’m actually pleased with how I carried out tonight.”
Le Clos was additionally joyful along with his day’s work. He completed a body-length in entrance of the sector within the 100m freestyle, profitable in 47.55 seconds, earlier than finishing a formidable victory within the 50m butterfly in 22.79 seconds. Second place was secured by 18-year-old Tai Pearson in 23.64, whereas third was taken by a swimmer greater than half le Clos’s age – 15-year-old Eric Kotze in 23.79 seconds.
“It was good, I’m joyful,” stated a relaxed Le Clos, who has returned to competitors after an prolonged break. “I’m in a extremely good area… I’ve solely been critically coaching beneath a correct programme for the final six weeks. This yr I used to be type of floating so it’s good to swim respectable and it’s good to see the children swim very well.”
Lara van Niekerk was equally happy along with her opening day’s performances in Pietermaritzburg after claiming the 100m breaststroke title in 1:05.98. She adopted that up with second place within the 100m particular person medley, an occasion she simply swims for enjoyable, in 1:02.78.
“My knee began performing up every week in the past, to the purpose the place I couldn’t kick breaststroke in coaching, so I’m simply actually grateful to be right here,” she stated. “It type of took the expectations away… Having the knee factor final week I feel took some strain off me and I’m simply joyful I may do that point.”
The boys’s 100m breaststroke title was secured by World Championships finalist Chris Smith, who reached the wall in a time of 58.24.
There have been first-time nationwide titles for each the winners within the 200m backstroke, with Grace Morris claiming the ladies’s title in a brand new private greatest of two:09.56 and Adrian van Wyk the boys’s in 1:56.42.
Whereas her primary focus is on the 50m freestyle, Caitlin de Lange raced to victory within the 100m particular person medley in a private greatest time of 1:00.69.
