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Callan Lötter sweeps SA open water titles in dominant display

Adnaan MohamedSwimmingLeave a Comment on Callan Lötter sweeps SA open water titles in dominant display

Teenage star Callan Lötter confirmed her status as South Africa’s leading women’s open water swimmer after defending all three of her national titles at the Bombela Concession Company SA Open Water Championships at Marina Martinique near Jeffreys Bay.

The 19-year-old delivered a commanding performance across the weekend, winning the 10km, 5km and 3km knockout races to complete a clean sweep of the women’s events.

Lötter set the tone in the 10km marathon swim where she proved untouchable, becoming the only woman to break the two-hour barrier. She won the race in 1:59:36, finishing more than four minutes ahead of Hannah Neilson, who clocked 2:03:54. Carli Antonopoulos secured third place in 2:04:51.

Callan Lotter – 10km, 5km, 3km knockout national champion

“It feels really good. I’m very proud of myself,” Lötter said.

“Last year I tried to stay with everyone and then take it out at the end. This year my training has been much better, so I decided to take it out from the beginning and try and hold on and build a gap.”

Her victory established clear water between herself and the rest of the field from early in the race as she controlled the tempo from the front.

Lötter added the 3km knockout title the following day in challenging conditions.

The format features three races in quick succession. The opening 1.5km round reduces the field to the top 20 swimmers, followed by a 1km race for the top 10 and a final 500m sprint after a ten-minute break.

“The race was really good, the conditions were very tough,” Lötter said.

“The waves were picking up quite a lot at the end, so you had to work much harder to finish the race, but I’m happy with how it went.”

She completed her hat-trick on Sunday in the 5km event, winning in 1:00:23 after fending off a close challenge from Neilson, who finished second in 1:00:37. Marony Jacobs placed third in 1:02:02.

“I was aware that Hannah was quite close to me on the first three laps and then I saw the rest of the pack was quite far behind,” Lötter said.

“So I tried to focus on my own race and see how far I could get ahead.”

While Lötter dominated the women’s races, the men’s 10km produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the championships.

Henré Louw claimed the national title in 1:54:46 after edging Byron Kimber by one second in a sprint finish. Connor Albertyn finished third in 1:54:55.

Men’s 10km – From left Connor Albertyn (3rd), Henre Louw (1st), Byron Kimber (2nd)

“It was definitely a tough race,” Louw said.

“The strategy was to sit back a bit this year and let the other guys do a little bit of work and then try my best at the back end of the race.”

The race took a dramatic turn on the final lap when Louw briefly lost ground.

“On the last lap I missed the buoy, I got pushed out a bit, so I had to turn back and I was probably about 30 metres behind those guys,” he said.

“I had to dig deep just trying to catch them on the last lap. When I got to the top buoy, I tried to push as hard as possible to the finish.”

Albertyn later secured victory in the men’s 5km race after another closely fought contest among the leading swimmers. He won in 57:26, finishing two seconds ahead of Matthew Caldwell, while Kimber placed third in 57:30.

“It was a very tough race. From the start to the finish, it was full pace from everyone,” Albertyn said.

“I don’t think there was a moment in that race when we were fully relaxed. We were constantly watching each other, especially Matt, Byron and Henré.”

Albertyn seized his opportunity on the final lap.

“I saw a bit of a gap and I took it. I kept my head down and kept pushing. I didn’t want to look back. I focused on the finish and doing everything I could to secure the win, and I managed to do so.”

Earlier in the championships, Caldwell won both the 3km knockout and the 3km race in 34:31. Leah Markgraaff claimed the women’s 3km title in 37:25 and also secured victory in the 7.5km race in 1:33:49. Wian Bartleman won the men’s junior 7.5km title in 1:25:47.

For full results: SA National Open Water Swimming Championships

Caldwell and Lötter Claim Maiden Midmar Mile titles

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Matthew Caldwell and Callan Lötter claimed their maiden aQuellé Midmar Mile titles in 2026 through two contrasting but equally decisive performances, showcasing tactical intelligence, fearless execution and open-water mastery.

In the elite men’s contest, Caldwell didn’t just swim the mile, he drew his own map across it. While the front pack surged ahead like a tightly packed shoal, the Johannesburg swimmer peeled off to the right, choosing solitude over the slipstream. It looked risky, even reckless. In reality, it was calculated calm.

Caldwell had boldly predicted before the start that the podium would feature himself, Henré Louw and French Olympian Damien Joly. True to script, the trio, joined early by Connor Albertyn, took control. But as confusion crept into Joly’s navigation around the hotspot markers, Caldwell stayed committed to his wide, lonely arc.

Matthew Caldwell wins 2026 Midmar Mile Photo: Midmar Mile

“I just needed to be as wide as possible, not close to anyone. I just didn’t want to be in sight. I wanted to be like an invisible person swimming there,” Caldwell said. “So the plan was just swim my own race in clean water.”

That invisible line carried him home first in 18:32, with Louw second in 18:42 and Albertyn third in 18:44. Joly faded to fourth in 18:51.

“It’s lovely. I’ve been wanting this for a few years now,” Caldwell added. “Henré, myself and Connor on the podium, that’s perfect, that’s how it should be with South Africa on top.”

If Caldwell’s race was about subtlety, Lötter’s was pure authority. Battling rough conditions, the 19-year-old attacked early in the elite women’s race, stretching the field like elastic snapping under pressure. By 400m she was clear; by halfway she led by 12 seconds; by the final marker the gap had ballooned to 19.

She touched the finish in 19:51, while the duel behind her simmered. Former champion Stephanie Houtman claimed second in 20:02, with Carli Antonopoulos third in 20:07. The trio was more than a minute ahead of the rest.

“My plan was to go out comfortable and see where the rest of the people were,” Lötter explained. “And then my plan was only to start building from 400m onwards.”

“It feels really good. It just shows that my training has been working and I’m really happy with how I performed today,” she added, crediting her coach. “Troy has helped me a lot and given me the confidence and made me enjoy the sport again.”

Callan Lotter wins Photo: Midmar Mile

Beyond the elite battles, Midmar’s deeper currents told stories of endurance and legacy. Reino von Wielligh and Gary Albertyn completed the formidable challenge of swimming 32 miles over four days, each marking their 30th Midmar Mile with age-group victories from Von Wielligh in 20:58 (31–40) and Albertyn in 21:18 (51–60).

“It’s something I wanted to do because of my age, 32, 32 miles, raise R32,000,” said Von Wielligh. “I think it was very symbolic.”

The finish line also welcomed legends: seven-time champion and record holder Chad Ho, and 1997 winner Robyn Bradley (now Minogue), who returned after 30 years abroad to finish fourth in her age group.

“It’s a phenomenal swim,” Bradley said. “Just the organisation and how it’s put together. It’s just incredible.”

At Midmar, some swimmers win by disappearing, others by breaking away, but all leave ripples that last long after the water settles.

Top 10 Results

Elite Women

  1. Callan Lötter – 19:51
  2. Stephanie Houtman – 20:02
  3. Carli Antonopoulos – 20:07
  4. Kirsty Andraos – 21:12
  5. Kiara Banks – 21:14
  6. Sasha-Lee Hemmens – 21:15
  7. Zuria Venter – 21:15
  8. Samantha Randle – 21:42
  9. Megan Shepherd – 21:47
  10. Leah Markgraaff – 21:51

Elite Men

  1. Matthew Caldwell – 18:32
  2. Henré Louw – 18:42
  3. Connor Albertyn – 18:44
  4. Damien Joly – 18:51
  5. Sven van der Linde – 19:27
  6. Wian Bartleman – 19:42
  7. Carter Markgraaff – 19:45
  8. James Kewley – 19:47
  9. Luan Terblanche – 19:52
  10. Shane van der Linde – 19:56

For full results, visit www.finishtime.co.za.

Quix Quicke and George Watson chase historic 50th Midmar Mile swims

Adnaan MohamedNews, Preview, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Quix Quicke and George Watson chase historic 50th Midmar Mile swims

The aQuellé Midmar Mile will celebrate two extraordinary feats of endurance in 2026 when Jill “Quix” Quicke and George Watson line up for their 50th swim at the world’s largest open-water event.

Quicke’s association with the iconic KwaZulu-Natal race stretches back to 1975, when she became one of the first women to compete officially. Just nine years old at the time, the Pietermaritzburg swimmer was already part of a changing chapter in Midmar Mile history.

“My parents said they thought I was good enough to swim the Midmar Mile. My dad took me up to the dam, as my mom was too nervous, in case I never came out the other side,” Quicke recalled.
“The entire girls’ race was about 150 people. We all started together and you had as long as you liked to get across. I think I took 47 minutes.”

Growing up in Pietermaritzburg meant Midmar became a constant on her sporting calendar. She swam every year from primary school through to matric, achieving a best finish of 14th in a competitive field with a time of 21 minutes.

Although university commitments and provincial indoor hockey caused her to miss a handful of editions, Quicke returned to the dam with renewed resolve, often pushing through significant physical setbacks.

“Since completing my degree, I have done the swim consistently just to keep my total ticking over,” she said.
“In 2016 and 2017 I did the 8 Mile Challenge for the Save the Rhino fund. I swam one year after being in hospital the day before with a kidney stone and one year where I was on crutches following a big knee operation.”

In recent seasons, the Midmar Mile has become a family affair.

“In 2019, I swam with my nine-year-old niece, Derryn Millward, for her first time. Since 2019 my niece, my sister, Mary Millward and I have swum together most years, and we are going to try and keep together for the big one this year.”

Now based in Johannesburg, Quicke says the significance of reaching 50 swims has taken time to register.

“I am finding it hard to believe it is my 50th swim as I don’t feel that old, but I am aware that nowadays I have to put in a bit of training to ensure that I can get across,” she said.
“I think other people are more impressed with the milestone than I am, but it is a good feeling to think about the achievement.”

Watson’s Midmar Mile journey began in 1976, a year he describes as pivotal.

George Watson Photo Credit: Action Photo

“A special year for three reasons,” he said. “Firstly, it’s the year I got married, started a new job in finance and swam my first Midmar.”

Now 77, Watson says consistency rather than times was always the objective.

“My goal was not to miss Midmar for as long as I was able.”

Despite that mindset, he recalls one standout performance.

“The year I did my best time, I started late and still managed a 22-minute swim. It was somewhere around 1982/3.”

He has also experienced the race in extreme conditions.

“There was a huge storm in 1978 and waves of at least 2ft. A water polo friend gave up after swallowing half the dam,” Watson recalled.

For Watson, Midmar remains as much about community as competition.

“I made a lot of friends through swimming and water polo, and Midmar was the one place I was sure to connect with them.”

As he approaches his 50th swim, he has no plans to stop.

“I have no particular goal but will swim for as long as I can manage.”

The 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place from 5 to 8 February. While online entries have closed, late entries will be accepted at Midmar Dam on race days, subject to availability.

Making waves at Midmar: Louw and Caldwell front SA’s men’s charge

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Like two powerful swimmers sighting the buoy and surging with intent, Henré Louw and Matthew Caldwell are set to lead South Africa’s men’s charge at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, determined to stop the foreign tide from washing over the podium for a third straight year.

With New Zealander Louis Clark (2025 winner) and Australian Nick Sloman (2024 champion) absent from the starting pontoon, the waters look ripe for a local breakthrough. But standing like a steady cross-current is three-time French Olympian Damien Joly, whose presence adds an unmistakable edge to the 5–8 February showdown.

Caldwell, who finished third last year, has no hesitation in calling his shot, speaking with the calm certainty of a swimmer who trusts his stroke count.

“I think I’ll call it now: top three, not in order, but top three will be amongst Henré Louw, Damien Joly, the French swimmer, and myself,” said Caldwell.

“We will be fighting for first, second, and third, us three, I think. That’s my opinion. There are a lot of other swimmers that are looking good at the moment, but right now I think in my books that’s the top three.”

Louw, twice the bridesmaid at Midmar, agrees that Joly is a major threat, but believes the race will be deeper than just three names treading water at the front.

“There are still other good guys like Sven van der Linde, who’s also going to be there, and there are a few guys that definitely can show up on the day, like Connor Albertyn as well,” Louw said.

“But I reckon that’s going to be the five guys in the mix that’s going to be really racing for the win.”

The numbers back him up. Connor Albertyn and Sven van der Linde finished fifth and sixth respectively in 2025, but the pair tasted silver and bronze the year before, proving how quickly fortunes can change in open water where tactics ebb and flow.

For Louw, the focus is on sharpening the final surge, the moment where races at Midmar are often won or lost like a perfectly timed kick at the wall.

“Last year I did not finish as well as I wanted to finish,” he admitted.

“I think my last 400 meters last year was a bit of an issue, like I didn’t pick up my kick rate and my stroke rate as much as I should have.”

He knows that at Midmar, execution is everything, from pacing to positioning.

“And just exiting really well is also something I would definitely have to focus on if I want to beat these guys.
At Midmar, some years, the one line is faster than the other line. So you’re definitely going to have a few practice swims to see how well you can execute the race.”

Caldwell recently edged Louw with a cleaner exit during the final seeding swim in Midrand, a detail that could loom large when the dam turns into a boiling cauldron of arms and spray. Confidence, though, flows freely through his camp.

“I’ve been training very hard and the results will show,” he said. “They’ll be good. They’ll be good.”

Beyond the medals and margins, it’s the Midmar magic that keeps drawing him back, year after year.

“Just the people, the experience, just the environment. It’s a very nice weekend away. Nice place, good food, good people, good music. The weekend’s just lovely. I love the racing as well.”

Online entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile have now closed. Swimmers still hoping to dive in can enter on the day at Midmar Dam, but are advised to arrive early as places are limited.

For more information, visit www.midmarmile.com

Olympic Heavyweight Damien Joly Dives into 2026 Midmar Mile

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The ripples around Midmar Dam are already growing, and February is still weeks away. French swimming starDamien Joly has confirmed he will line up at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, injecting Olympic pedigree into one of the world’s most iconic open-water swims from 5–8 February in KwaZulu-Natal.

A three-time Olympian and Olympic finalist, Joly’s entry adds another powerful current to a race famed for blending elite speed with mass-participation spirit. Like a seasoned marathon swimmer slipping from the calm of the pool into open water, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge of something different.

Damien Joly

“The Midmar Mile is a very well-known race in South Africa, and I was happy to be invited to take part. It’s a great opportunity to race in a different environment, experience a new competition format, and enjoy a strong and passionate swimming community,” Joly said.

The aQuellé Midmar Mile annually draws thousands of swimmers from nervous first-timers to hardened professionals, all funnelled into the same stretch of water. Joly has long heard that the event’s atmosphere swells like a tide.

“I’ve heard that it’s much more than just a race,” he explained. “The crowd, the energy around the dam, and the number of participants make it very special. It’s also known for being extremely competitive at the front while remaining very inclusive, which is quite unique.”

South Africa is familiar water for Joly. He previously trained in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and his memories extend beyond the pool deck.

“I also had the opportunity to visit the country and go on safari, which were incredible experiences. It’s a beautiful country, and everything went really well during my time there,” he recalled.

At 33, Joly arrives with a résumé as deep as the endurance events he dominates. Beyond three Olympic appearances, he is a 2022 World Short Course Championships silver medallist and European Championships bronze medallist in the 1500m freestyle, and the French national record holder in the event — credentials that mark him as a front-pack threat.

Yet for Joly, Midmar is not just about chasing the fastest line through the water.

“I’m really looking forward to racing in such a legendary event and feeling that atmosphere first-hand. Competing against strong international swimmers in an open water setting like Midmar is something I’m very motivated by,” he said.

Asked about his winning prospects, Joly struck a balance between confidence and caution, the hallmark of an experienced open-water racer.

“I always approach races with confidence in my preparation, but also with a lot of respect for my competitors. Open water racing can be unpredictable, so the focus is on executing a smart race and giving my best on the day.”

What truly sets the Midmar Mile apart, in Joly’s eyes, is its rare ability to hold elite intensity and community warmth in the same stroke.

“That’s one of the things that makes Midmar so special. To share the same start line with first timers, passionate amateurs, and elite athletes is a reminder of why we swim in the first place: for the love of the sport and the challenge it brings.”

Beyond podiums and placings, the Frenchman sees the event as a chance to broaden his horizons.

Damien Joly (L) claims silver at 2022 world short course champs

“I hope to gain experience, memories, and inspiration. Racing at Midmar is also an opportunity to step out of my usual competitive environment and grow as an athlete and as a person.”

With Joly now confirmed, the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile promises to be a meeting of global class and grassroots passion, a vast, shared lane where Olympic currents mingle with everyday courage.

Entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile remain open at www.midmarmile.com.

SA Sport 2025: A Year-in-Review

Adnaan MohamedComrades Marathon, Cricket, Features, Hockey, News, Rugby, Springboks, Swimming, Totalsports Two Oceans MarathonLeave a Comment on SA Sport 2025: A Year-in-Review
By Adnaan Mohamed

In South Africa, sport has always been more than results. It is identity, catharsis and connection. In 2025, that truth surged again, from the collective power of the Springboks to the solitary courage of ultra-marathoners chasing dawn. This special edition captures a year when excellence became habit and belief became currency.

RUGBY: THE SPRINGBOKS – A STANDARD THE WORLD STILL CHASES

If global rugby were measured in tectonic plates, the Springboks spent 2025 shifting them.

South Africa’s national side operated with the assurance of champions who know their system is both unforgiving and evolving. They defended trophies, dominated tours and suffocated opponents with a brand of rugby that blended brute force with surgical intelligence.

The crowning individual honour came when Malcolm Marx was named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year. It was well deserved recognition for a player who plays the game like a controlled demolition. Around him, the emergence of creative talents such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu ensured the Bok blueprint remained future-proof.

“The Springboks didn’t just win in 2025, they imposed a rhythm the rest of the world struggled to breathe in.”

CRICKET: PROTEAS REWRITE THEIR HISTORY

At Lord’s, cricket’s most sacred address, South Africa finally confronted its past and walked beyond it.

The Proteas’ World Test Championship triumph was more than silverware. It was a release. Decades of near-misses dissolved as a team led by coach Shukri Conrad and led by Temba Bavuma played with clarity, courage and conviction.

Where previous Proteas sides carried scars, this one carried belief. The victory announced South Africa’s return to cricket’s highest table, not as guests, but as equals.

Proteas Women mirrored that excellence, reaching global finals and reinforcing the depth and durability of South African cricket across genders.

ATHLETICS: SPEED, SCIENCE AND STAYING POWER
Akani Simbine : The Constant

In an era of fleeting sprint dominance, Akani Simbine remained the constant, anchoring relay success and delivering world-class performances with metronomic consistency. His longevity at elite speed became its own form of greatness.

ROAD RUNNING: A YEAR THE CLOCK COULDN’T CONTAIN

South Africa’s roads became theatres of defiance in 2025, places where age, expectation and perceived limits were dismantled.

Elroy Gelant : The Marathon Reset

At 38, Elroy Gelant shattered Gert Thys 26-year-old South African marathon record, slicing through time with the precision of a veteran who understood patience as power. His run didn’t just reset a record, it reset belief.

Glenrose Xaba : Queen of the Circuit

Glenrose Xaba ruled the SPAR Grand Prix like royalty, sweeping the series with relentless cadence and tactical control. Her dominance elevated women’s road running into mainstream conversation.

Maxime Chaumeton : Breaking the Mental Barrier

By dipping under 27 minutes for 10km, Maxime Chaumeton didn’t just break a record, he broke a psychological ceiling. The ripple effect will be felt for years.

The Wildschutt Brothers : From Ceres to the World

Adriaan and Nadeel Wildschutt continued to anchor South Africa’s distance legacy. Their performances reinforced a simple truth: endurance excellence is forged through environment, discipline and humility.

ULTRA-DISTANCE RUNNING: WHERE LEGENDS WALK TOWARDS PAIN
Gerda Steyn – The Golden Girl of Endless Roads

In the brutal, beautiful realm of ultra-marathons, Gerda Steyn remained peerless. Victories at both the Totalsports Two Oceans 56km and the Comrades Marathon confirmed her status as South Africa’s undisputed queen of endurance.

Steyn doesn’t race opponents, she negotiates with terrain, climbs mountains with calm authority and descends with fearless precision.

Tete Dijana : Defender of the Down Run

The Comrades Marathon came alive as Tete Dijana successfully defended his Down Run title. His aggressive, fearless approach reminded everyone that Comrades champions are not merely runners, they are architects of suffering and triumph.
“In 2025, South Africa didn’t just win Comrades, it owned the road.”

FOOTBALL: FOUNDATIONS OVER FIREWORKS

For Bafana Bafana, 2025 was about structure and progression rather than spectacle. Key wins, disciplined performances and youth-level success hinted at a system slowly learning consistency, laying bricks rather than chasing shortcuts.

BEYOND THE BIG CODES: DEPTH ACROSS THE BOARD

From hockey triumphs to netball growth, swimming, rowing and youth multisport success, Team South Africa’s broader sporting ecosystem thrived. Medal tables and qualification campaigns confirmed a vital truth: the base of South African sport is wider than ever.

THE BIG PICTURE: WHAT 2025 REALLY MEANT

What unified South Africa’s sporting year was not just success, but sustainability.

  • Rugby showed depth and evolution
  • Cricket conquered its mental frontier
  • Athletics blended speed with staying power
  • Road and ultra-running delivered global relevance
FINAL WHISTLE

If sport is a language, then South Africa spoke it fluently in 2025, sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, but always with intent. From scrums that bent spines to runners who bent time, this was a year where the nation didn’t wait for greatness. It ran towards it and crossed the line together.

Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Keri Miller dives back into Midmar with family, fitness and heart in tow
By Adnaan Mohamed

Like a confident swimmer slipping into familiar waters, popular KwaZulu-Natal radio personality Keri Miller is set to make another splash at the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile, taking place from 5–8 February.

The co-founder of digital radio station PlayZN has confirmed she will line up in the family race on Saturday, combining strokes with sentiment as she swims her third Midmar Mile, while also serving as an ambassador for Mr Price Sport, one of the event’s key sponsors.

Miller won’t be navigating the Midmar waters solo. Instead, she’ll be buoyed by a strong family current, swimming alongside her sister, brother-in-law, niece and two nephews.

“As a family, last year was our first time swimming Midmar together and we absolutely loved it,” she said.

Her Midmar journey began almost by accident in 2024, sparked by an interview with race director Wayne Riddin and the lure of one of South Africa’s most iconic sporting keepsakes.

“It’s a really great towel,” she joked.

By 2025, the hook was firmly set.

“For the 2025 race, my sister had already entered her whole family and I thought, if [my niece] Charli-Rose can swim it at six, then nothing is stopping me. It felt like one of the best family days we could ever have together. Such a cool memory to make.”

Miller says the aQuellé Midmar Mile fits seamlessly with her philosophy of active, connected living.

“Considering I have a radio station called PlayZN, I’m a huge supporter of anything that gets us outside, off our phones and into our bodies. For anyone who’s had the privilege of learning to swim, this is one of the most satisfying things you can do. And everyone loves a medal. It’s such a celebration of how beautiful Midmar is.”

Her role as a Mr Price Sport ambassador adds another deeply personal layer to the experience.

“It’s a beautiful reminder that I’m in a strong, healthy body and that at 43 I can move happily and pain-free. Being able to represent a local brand in a local race feels special. I’m grateful and I hope to see more women my age shifting how they think about and treat their beautiful bodies.”

Preparation-wise, Miller is keeping her training balanced, mixing calm control with respect for Midmar’s unpredictable conditions.

“I’ll do some training with Nix O’Driscoll, who is a wonderful coach and will give me all the pointers, and then keep some sea swimming going because we know Midmar is not flat!”

Yet, for all the fitness and finish times, it’s the family moments that remain her emotional anchor.

“Spending time with Matt, Brad and Charli. Those three are everything to me… I just want to be present, cross that finish line together and get our family photo at the end. I get teary even thinking about it. I’m obsessed with those little humans.”

Reflecting on why the event continues to draw thousands into the water each year, Miller believes the magic lies in its accessibility.

“The sense of accomplishment at the end is huge and it’s so doable. You don’t have to be elite to compete. It’s the perfect race.”

Entries for the 2026 aQuellé Midmar Mile are now open, with early-bird entries closing on 21 December. More information is available at www.midmarmile.com

Chad le Clos Makes Waves With 8-Mile Midmar Mission for SA Water Safety

Adnaan MohamedSwimmingLeave a Comment on Chad le Clos Makes Waves With 8-Mile Midmar Mission for SA Water Safety

Chad le Clos is ready to trade the starting blocks for the wide-open waters of the aQuellé Midmar Mile, diving head-first into the gruelling 8-Mile Charity Challenge next February as he throws his weight behind swimmers fundraising for the Chad le Clos Foundation.

The 2012 Olympic champion has spent most of the past decade slicing through chlorinated lanes rather than the wind-ruffled Midmar Dam. But in 2026 he returns not just as a guest on the shoreline, but as a swimmer plunging back into the tide.

“I’m very excited. To be honest, I haven’t swum much at Midmar,” Le Clos admitted.

“I’ve always been there whenever I could… I’ve always supported the Midmar Mile long before my foundation was involved, but I just really love to be there. I think it’s a great day… from the Thursday through to the Sunday, it’s just a great weekend.”

A Champion Embracing the Current

Chad le Clos

Now 33, Le Clos said Midmar’s ever-growing wave of participation is what keeps pulling him back.

“I think what’s quite unique about Midmar is that it seems to grow every year, and the fact that it just gives everybody of all ages the opportunity to compete. You know, you can be in your 80s… it’s incredible. Swimming is a great sport for everybody.”

Fresh from a long layoff to recover from stubborn injuries, Le Clos is wading carefully back toward elite racing with the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifiers as his first checkpoint. But before the competitive whirlpool resumes, Midmar offers a different kind of challenge—one that matters beyond medals.

“In terms of the foundation, it’s been a huge blessing to be a part of Midmar. Last year we raised a decent amount of money for charity, which is really, really great,” he said.

Swimming for Something Bigger

Founded in 2018, the Chad le Clos Foundation focuses on drowning-prevention programmes, water-safety education and pathways for young swimmers from disadvantaged communities. Its outreach ranges from introducing children to the water safely to supporting promising athletes with coaching and competition access.

And in 2026, Le Clos will be shoulder-to-shoulder in the dam with the very people swimming for his cause.

“For me personally, I’m really excited to swim the eight miles. I’m going to be doing a mile with each of the people who are swimming for my foundation,” he explained. “So I’ll be swimming a mile with each and just trying to lend my name and try to be the best I can, for the kids, to be honest.”

Like a seasoned marathoner pacing alongside novices, Le Clos will be both teammate and tide-breaker, helping charity swimmers navigate the long, choppy journey.

A Ripple Becoming a Wave

With the 8-Mile and 16-Mile Charity Challenge already raising millions for causes nationwide, organisers expect another year of deep-water generosity when the 53rd aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place from 5–8 February 2026. Charity events run on the first two days; the main races follow over the weekend.

Smith Strikes Gold as SA Swimmers Make Waves in World Cup Opener

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Smith Strikes Gold as SA Swimmers Make Waves in World Cup Opener

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).

Rebecca Meder

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.

Chad le Clos – 100m butterfly bronze

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.

 Photo credits: World Aquatics

Lara van Niekerk claims Golden Hat-trick

Adnaan MohamedNews, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Lara van Niekerk claims Golden Hat-trick

Adnaan Mohamed

Lara van Niekerk completed a golden hat-trick at the Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships on Sunday, powering through the 200m breaststroke like a swimmer rediscovering her tide.

The 22-year-old, already decorated with Commonwealth and World medals, clocked 2:24.81 to sweep the 50m, 100m, and 200m titles. It was a clean breaststroke sweep that signalled her resurgence.

“I enjoy the short-course 200 because it’s all about pull downs and you can keep your speed, so I really enjoyed that race … don’t tell my coach,” she laughed afterwards.

“The last 50 I had to dig deep, but it shows my fitness is back where it should be. Now it’s just sharpening the little technical things.”

Van Niekerk admitted the championships had been a confidence-restoring current:

“There’s not one race I’m upset about… fitness is there, stroke is where it should be. It’s looking good.”

On the men’s side, Oliva Lange paddled home with the 200m breaststroke crown in 2:12.11.

Elsewhere, Duné Coetzee added yet another gold to her treasure chest, outlasting rising 16-year-old Abigail Kotze in the women’s 200m butterfly.

Coetzee touched in 2:14.16, a fingertip ahead of Kotze’s 2:14.85.

“I felt awful this morning after the late 400 free, so I was nervous,” Coetzee admitted.

“But Abi really pushed me, and I didn’t think I’d go five seconds faster than the heat. Even when she beat me in the 100 fly, I was so proud of her – it’s great to have someone who keeps me racing.”

The men’s butterfly brought the upset of the meet, as Jarden Eaton surged from lane eight to steal gold in 1:59.50, ducking under the two-minute mark for the first time.

Jarden Eaton won gold in the men’s butterfly Photo’s: Swim SA

“I wasn’t expecting that,” he said.

“I just wanted a personal best… but building into that last 50, it all came together. I’m really happy.”

The distance titles capped the meet: Carli Antonopoulos cruised to the women’s 1500m freestyle in 17:01.33, while Matthew Caldwell completed a golden treble of his own, claiming the men’s 1500m in 15:28.11.

“It wasn’t as quick as I’d like, but after a long week of racing, I’ll take the win,” said Caldwell, already sighting next year’s Commonwealth Games like a swimmer eyeing the far wall.

SOURCE: SWIM SA