By Adnaan Mohamed
South Africa’s swimmers made a splash at the opening leg of the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, surfacing with one gold and three bronze medals after three days of fierce racing.
The team finished 10th overall, but the ripples they created hinted at much deeper tides to come.
Leading the charge was 19-year-old Chris Smith, who powered through the men’s 50m breaststroke final like a torpedo, touching the wall in 25.75 seconds.
It was the fastest short course time in the world this year. He edged out the Netherlands’ Caspar Corbeau by a fingertip – a mere three hundredths of a second. Belarusian Ilya Shymanovich took bronze in 25.79.
For Smith, it was the first major international title of his career after years of circling the podium.
“I’m very proud of Chris, that he finally got it. He really deserved it this time,” said his longtime coach Michelle Vlasakova of the Alcatraz Swimming Club in Centurion.
“He’s been so close at the last two big international meets. We both believed he could do it, and I told him after the heats: ‘You can go so much faster.’”
Vlasakova credited Smith’s mental fortitude as his secret weapon beneath the waves.
“I think that’s what Chris is best at. He’s very mentally strong. When he puts his head to something, no one can tell him otherwise.”
Now, the pair are setting their sights on breaking Cameron van der Burgh’s national and continental records and riding this wave all the way to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.
“If he keeps believing in the programme and the coaching,” Vlasakova said, “I think he’s unstoppable.”
Meanwhile, Rebecca Meder was also in buoyant form, scooping two bronze medals and shattering an African record. The 23-year-old clocked 2:18.14 for third in the women’s 200m breaststroke, just a splash behind Olympic champion Kate Douglass (2:13.97) and Germany’s Anna Elendt (2:17.80).
She then stormed to another bronze in the 200m individual medley, rewriting her own African record with 2:05.56.
“I’m happy with the times I posted,” said Meder.
“Obviously, I always want more. I’m chasing those African records, especially in the 200 and 100 breaststroke. I’m just so grateful to race these girls and see how I progress through the series.”
Veteran Chad le Clos, the most decorated male in World Cup history, added another medal to his treasure chest. He claimed bronze in the 100m butterfly (49.57) behind Switzerland’s Noe Ponti and Canada’s Ilya Kharun.
As the first leg wrapped, the South Africans left Carmel with their heads above water and spirits soaring.
With Smith heading home and Meder diving into the next leg in Westmont, Illinois where South Africa’s swimmers would be looking to continue the current of momentum.
