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Race to Glasgow begins at SA National Swimming Championships

Adnaan MohamedPreview, SwimmingLeave a Comment on Race to Glasgow begins at SA National Swimming Championships
By Adnaan Mohamed

South Africa’s premier swimmers are ready to dive into deep waters as the Bombela Concession Company SA National Swimming Championships splash into action in Gqeberha from 14–18 April.

With national titles up for grabs and coveted qualification spots for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow hanging like a finish-line touchpad, the stakes could hardly be higher.

Hosted at the Newton Park Swimming Pool, the five-day meet forms the heartbeat of the domestic season, where dreams either glide forward or sink beneath the surface. For many, its about striking the right rhythm to secure selection for Team SA.

Leading the surge is backstroke ace Pieter Coetzé, who arrives riding a wave of momentum after a clean sweep at the China Open. The University of Pretoria star has been slicing through the water with the precision of a well-timed tumble turn.

“With China going very well, I think it was a good indicator that I’m on track to perform well at Nationals and see if I can build on that for the rest of the season. It was a good place to start,” said Coetzé.

“I’m hoping to just get some good performances on the board and obviously qualify for the team. But just improving on my performances in China and my performances in previous years at Nationals will be something that I’ll be happy with for Nationals this year.

“It is just a qualification competition, so I’m not hoping to peak or anything like that. I just want to get the job done and make the team.”

Coetzé’s programme includes the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, alongside the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Veteran campaigner Chad le Clos is also back on the blocks, targeting a remarkable fifth Commonwealth Games appearance. Like a seasoned swimmer pacing a long race, he is balancing confidence with caution after limited long-course racing since the Olympics.

“I’m really excited for next week. I haven’t swum many long-course races since the Olympics. I think I’ve only done one. So, I’m a little nervous, I’m not going to lie,” admitted Le Clos.

“But I feel good and confident, as I always do. I’m definitely ready as I’ve had a good build-up, and everything’s gone really well.

“I’m feeling really confident for the butterfly. It’s just naturally what I’m pretty good at. I’ve been working on my speed and my power, and I’m the strongest I’ve ever been physically in the gym. Hopefully, that will translate.”

Le Clos will contest the 50m and 100m butterfly, as well as the 50m freestyle.

In the women’s ranks, Lara van Niekerk returns with quiet assurance, her stroke efficiency honed to razor sharpness.

“It’s been going well, taper has been good, sharpening up on all the little things,” she said.

“⁠I’m hoping to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and just enjoy myself and execute my race plans as best I can.”

She lines up in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, where she will face fierce competition from Rebecca Meder and Kaylene Corbett. Meder, fuelled by unfinished business after illness at last year’s World Championships, is approaching the meet with renewed hunger.

“My training has been going really well,” said Meder. “We’re looking forward to Nationals. Obviously, eyes are set on the Commonwealth Games, so Nationals is just getting the work done and trying to secure my spot on that team and put some solid times on the database.

“Commonwealth Games is a very big one in my eyes this year, especially after last year’s world champs. I think it was a bit of a bitter taste after world champs, knowing how on-form I was, but then unfortunately getting sick 12 to 24 hours before that 200 breaststroke with the gastro bug that the Americans brought in.

“I was really disappointed and walked back feeling quite unsatisfied… I feel like this year I’m fired up and ready to go for Commonwealth Games. I’m hungry and I am really wanting to achieve well there.”

Also in the mix are Erin Gallagher, Jessica Thompson and Chris Smith, each aiming to carve their own lane to Glasgow.

The Para ranks add further depth, led by Christian Sadie, whose performances continue to ripple across the continent.

“I’ve been really happy with the progress that I’ve been making in the past year since coming back from world champs,” said Sadie.

“We changed a few things going into world champs last year and I think we’re reaping the benefits now of being able to tune them quite well.

“I did get a little bit sick, and I was a little bit worried because I was out for about two weeks with Covid, but I think I bounced back a lot quicker than I thought I would. So I’m actually really looking forward to Nationals. I’m feeling really good in the water.”

Team Sheets (Selected Entries)

  • Pieter Coetzé: 50m, 100m, 200m Backstroke; 50m, 100m Freestyle
  • Chad le Clos: 50m, 100m Butterfly; 50m Freestyle
  • Lara van Niekerk: 50m, 100m Breaststroke
  • Rebecca Meder: 200m Individual Medley; 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststroke
  • Kaylene Corbett: Breaststroke events
  • Erin Gallagher: Sprint freestyle/butterfly
  • Jessica Thompson: Sprint backstroke
  • Chris Smith: Breaststroke
  • Christian Sadie: 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley

Heats begin daily at 9:30am, with finals diving in at 5pm.

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

Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris

By Karien Jonckheere 

Picture:Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images 

Rebecca Meder’s road to Paris has been something of a roller coaster ride. Four weeks before the SA Olympic trials, the 21-year-old swimmer’s appendix ruptured, leading to emergency surgery and a dramatic change of plans.

With rules dictating she had to compete at the trials to be considered for the SA team, Meder still made her way back to South Africa from her training base in New Zealand and competed in just one race – the 50m backstroke. The event was selected as it doesn’t involve a dive or tumble turn which could have caused problems with the still-healing internal stitches after the surgery.

Fortunately for Meder, she had already achieved an Olympic qualifying time in the 200m individual medley ahead of the competition, so her place on the team was secured once she had fulfilled the requirement of simply showing up. But what followed was a gruelling few months of trying to regain her form.

The SA record-holder said the comeback would not have been possible without the support of her coach, family, boyfriend and strength and conditioning and medical teams – along with a strong faith in God.

“I’ve cried many tears over the phone, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t cry and if I didn’t have those raw emotions, and you know what, they let me feel the way I’m feeling, they listened, and then we tackled it with logic and with precision and with a goal in mind,” she explained.

“Mentally it was tough. I was frustrated, I was angry and devastated. But at the same time, I was so grateful that I was healthy. An erupted appendix is quite a dangerous thing. I spent a lot of time in prayer, worshipping God and just fixing my mind on His truth … and ultimately filling my mind with positivity and with peace and with comfort and knowing that everything was going to be OK.

“It was very difficult getting back in the pool, it was when the load started picking up, I was a little bit despondent every now and then… but I’m more at peace now knowing that I’m back on track, I’m strong again, I’m fit, fast, and muscle memory has kicked in really quickly.”

With much determination and hard work after what was effectively six weeks away from full training, Meder believes she is now back at her best.

“I’ve been hitting times in training that I’m really happy with, faster times than I have been, and my racing’s been going well, I’ve done one or two local events here in New Zealand and really happy with some of my times and some PBs, short course, which is always obviously encouraging.”

Meder competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and while that was important in terms of gaining experience, this time she’s there to compete.

“Last time my goal was to get to Olympics, and now my goal is to perform at Olympics. It’s quite scary to say out loud, but I suppose your dreams are supposed to scare you, and for me making a final at Olympic Games would be huge,” she said.

“The 200IM is going to be one of the most competitive events at Olympic Games… top eight in the world at an event like the Olympics would be massive. And then of course, when you’re in the final, anything can happen.”