Tuks’s swimmers proved their mettle last night during the South African Swimming Championships in Gqeberha by setting an African record and winning four gold medals.
Erin Gallagher shattered the 50m-butterfly record she set during last year’s World Student Games in China by swimming 25.59 seconds. Her winning time is 0.07 seconds faster than the previous record.
The elated Tuks swimmer afterwards said, “It’s always weird when you can feel you’re on track for a good swim. To me, it’s about seizing the moment.”
She added that it felt strange that she was the oldest swimmer in the final.
It was good as it motivated me to be at my best. I am genuinely excited about the future of women’s swimming in South Africa.”
Tatjana Smith showed she is in good form, winning the 50m butterfly in a personal best time of 30.09 seconds. Her previous best time was the 30.21 seconds she swam during the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games. The South African record holder Lara van Niekerk was second, swimming 30.16s.
“I am thrilled. To swim a personal best for the first time in four years in the 50m-breaststroke is special. It is the small breakthroughs that add up to the big results. Winning the 50m breaststroke is an excellent way to break the ice.”
The 19-year-old Pieter Coetzé continued his domination of the men’s backstroke by winning the 50-metre race in 24.54 seconds.
“I would have loved to be faster. Maybe to get a ‘PB’, but for now, I am happy with the result.”
In February, Coetzé won a bronze medal in the 200m-backstroke during the World Championships in Doha. Asked what could be expected this time when he competes in the 200m-backstroke, the Tuks swimmer said, “I did not taper down for the national championships. The goal is more long-term, and that is to be at my best for the Paris Olympic Games. But I am still excited to race. Hopefully, I will have a good race.”
Winning the 50m backstroke was special to Tayla Jonker.
“I am so happy. It is my first gold medal at the South African Championships, so I can’t complain,” said the Tuks swimmer who contested the semifinals during the World Championships in Doha.
Jonker’s winning time was 28.50s.
Tuks’s Stephanie Houtman finished second in the 800m freestyle (8:46.30). Catherine van Rensburg (Tuks) was third (8:48.79). Matthew Randle was third in the men’s 50m breaststroke (27.94).