Roland Schoeman lands SA Champs gold at 42

Veteran Roland Schoeman wrapped up his return to the championships with a first national title since 2015. The 42-year-old claimed the win in the 50m butterfly ahead of Clayton Jimmie and Ryan Coetzee, but his time of 23.83 fell short of the Aqualifying time for the World Championships. The top three in the race, did nevertheless achieve B qualifying times.

Teen swimming sensation

Pieter Coetzé wrapped up the SA National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha with another Olympic qualifying time on Sunday.

The 18-year-old, who has already recorded a qualifying time for Paris 2024 in the 100m backstroke, added the 200m backstroke time, cruising to victory in 1:56.66 also an A qualifier for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan later this year. Coetzé withdrew from the 50m butterfly final on Sunday to focus on the backstroke event and was duly rewarded with the fifth fastest time in the world this season in the 200m backstroke. After the medal presentation, Coetzé gifted his gold medal to the thrilled Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nocawe Mafu, who attended the last night of the championships in Gqeberha.

KDAC athlete participates in the Two Oceans Marathon

qualifier in the 400m freestyle, Duné Coetzee claiming the title in 4:10.49.

Earlier in the day Emma Chelius swam a time trial with the goal of achieving the A qualifying time she just missed on her way to the 50m freestyle title on Saturday night. And it was mission accomplished as the Olympic semifinalist reached the wall in a speedy 24.78.

Coetze

Also achieving an Aqualification time for the World Championships was Erin Gallagher. The 24-year-old added to her 100m butterfly victory by taking the 50m butterfly in a time of 26.31, ahead of Rebecca Meder (26.87) and 15year-old Jessica Thompson (26.91). There was also an A-

Meanwhile, Kat Swanepoel continued her sensational form in the events for swimmers with a disability. Despite breaking a finger during her warm-up, the Paralympic star broke the SA and African record in the SM4 150m individual medley, setting a new mark of 2:56.84. That also saw her dipping under the Aqualifying time for the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester by a massive margin.

Other swimmers who achieved the required Aqualifying times were Christian Sadie in the SM7 200m individual medley (2:36.39), Alani Ferreira in the S13 400m freestyle (5:01.56) and Nathan Hendrik in the men's S13 400m freestyle (4:28.79).

KwaDukuza Athletic Club (KDAC) athlete, Roshan Bhowan, participated in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town last Saturday, 15 April 2023.

Known globally as "the world's most beautiful marathon", the annual race is run against a backdrop of spectacular scenery through the Cape Peninsula. The race is run under the auspices of the IAAF, Athletics South Africa (ASA) and Western Province Athletics (WPA).

Roshan thoroughly enjoyed the race and performed exceptionally well, completing the 56km ultra marathon in a time of 5h55min.

Roshan remained cool and calm and ran the race nonstop from start to finish. He expressed that this past Saturday's race was his best Two Oceans Marathon experience yet. Roshan encourages all existing and potential club members to join in the event next year.

KDAC wishes to remind the community that membership is still open and there are still a few runners licenses available. Anyone wishing to join KDAC may contact the Club President, Yathin Narothum on 0837893476 or call personally at Lighty Barbers Salon.

Soweto derby confirmed!

Kaizer Chiefs to face Orlando Pirates in Nedbank

South African football fans got the news they were hoping for on Sunday as it was confirmed that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will meet in the semifinals of this season's Nedbank Cup.

The Premier Soccer League confirmed the draw for the last four just minutes after Chiefs had beaten Royal AM 2-1 in their quarter-final in Chatsworth, Durban. In the other semi-final, Stellenbosch will take on