Swimming star Lara sets new record – again

After a gold performance at the recent Commonwealth Games South African teen swimmer Lara van Niekerk stormed to yet another SA and African record at the SA Short Course Championships in KwaZulu-Natal. the 19-year-old double Commonwealth Games gold medallist on Saturday claimed victory in the 50m breaststroke in 29.62 seconds, to better the record she set in the morning heats (29.67) and at the same event a year ago (29.85) in the Pietermaritzburg pool. The swimmer’s weekend victory saw her secure another A qualification mark for the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne, Australia this December.

After the race, Van Niekerk said she thought results could have been slightly better if she had all that energy she had at the Commonwealths, adding that she also believed that the future will have better times. “I definitely think I can go faster – especially coming back from such a big competition [like the Commonwealth Games; you are very tired,” she said after the race. “When I go back from the heats sessions, I literally just go and sleep …

I’m dead because such a big competition takes so much out of you.” Meanwhile, several other swimmers in Pietermaritzburg achieved B qualifying times, which will still put them in contention for selection for the World Short Course Championships later in the year. these swimmers include Caitlin de Lange and Rebecca Meder.

Lara van Niekerk during the Swimming South African Short Course Championships, held at Seals swimming pool in Pietermaritzburg.

Picture: Andrew Mc Fadden BOOGS Photography