South Africa’s swimmers returned home on Tuesday with an impressive 84-medal haul from the African Swimming Championships in Oran, Algeria.
The country’s junior team led the charge, finishing top of the continental medal table with 25 gold, 15 silver and 12 bronze medals, while the senior squad claimed nine gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals to place third behind Egypt and hosts Algeria.
Eighteen-year-old Scarlett le Roux produced one of the standout performances of the championships after winning five individual gold medals in the freestyle events.
Le Roux completed a clean sweep from the 100m to the 1500m freestyle races, touching first in the 100m freestyle in 58.36 seconds, the 200m freestyle in 2:06.45, the 400m freestyle in 4:25.37, the 800m freestyle in 9:13.65 and the 1500m freestyle in 17:34.04.
Cassidy Burgess also enjoyed a successful campaign, collecting three individual gold medals and two silvers across the butterfly and backstroke disciplines.
In the junior boys’ competition, Adrian van Wyk secured four gold medals and a bronze, while Zaine Niemand added three gold medals to South Africa’s tally.
Senior swimmer Isabeau Coetsee impressed in the backstroke events, winning gold in the 100m backstroke in 1:03.18 and the 200m backstroke in 2:16.42. She also claimed silver in the 50m backstroke in 29.74 seconds.
Matthew Caldwell added two gold medals in the freestyle events after victories in the 400m freestyle in 3:53.65 and the 800m freestyle in 8:10.30. He also earned silver in the 200m freestyle in 1:50.73.
Swimming South Africa president Alan Fritz praised the performances of the country’s young swimmers.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see so many of our young swimmers stepping up and delivering performances of this standard on the continental stage,” Fritz said.
“These championships are an important part of the development journey for our next generation of elite athletes. To return home with 84 medals across the junior and senior teams is a reflection of the depth of talent we have in South African swimming, and we congratulate every swimmer, coach and support staff member on their contribution.
“The experience gained in this environment will be invaluable as these athletes continue their progression in the sport.”