Aimee Canny wrapped up her Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships campaign with a fourth Commonwealth Games qualifying time on day 3 of the Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
The 22-year-old, who has been one of the standout performers at the national event, claimed the 200m breaststroke title with a dominant performance that saw her overtake favourite Kaylene Corbett in the final metres, her personal champs tally of four titles each securing a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games.
Canny won the 200m breaststroke in 2 minutes 23.61 seconds, outgunning Corbett in the final 15 metres of the race. Corbett, who claimed a bronze medal in the event at last year’s World Aquatics Championships, was second in 2:23.72. Both swimmers finished well under the required time for the Glasgow Games, taking place in July and August. Defending champion Rebecca Meder was third in 2:27.36.
Better known as a freestyle swimmer at previous national championships, Canny said afterwards that she was quietly confident she was capable of completing a 100m and 200m breaststroke double at this event.
“I definitely didn’t think I couldn’t do it, but I hadn’t really thought much about how much I’d improve at this meet. Training’s been going really well, so I’m super happy that it’s kind of paying off in the pool.”
Four-time 2026 SA Swim Champion, Aimee Canny
Reflecting on her race strategy, Canny explained: “I knew that we were going to go similar speeds out. And was really fun on that last wall. I knew she was ahead of me, and I knew it was my last event, so I just kind of gave everything I could.”
While the championships continue until Saturday, Canny will be returning to her base in the USA on Friday.
Corbett acknowledged the competitive spirit of the race and the strength of women’s swimming in South Africa. “I’m trying to start a new tactic, seeing how fast I can go out, trying to set out the pace that I need to go.”
“I’m really happy with how I executed the race. I knew that Becky and Aimee were going to come back hard in the second hundred, so I just tried to hold on to anything that I had.”
“She just out-touched me, but it’s the name of the sport and you should be able to take these things on the chin and move on. It’s just really nice to see how we can empower one another and swim together and really enjoy being in a competitive environment with the girls that you love.”
SA Breaststroke Specialist, Kaylene Corbett
“You want to see them succeed just as much as they want to see you succeed. So I can’t complain that Aimee beat me,” said Corbett.
In the women’s 100m freestyle, national record holder Erin Gallagher took the title in 55.12 seconds, with Olivia Nel finishing as a close second in 55.17 seconds.
“I couldn’t see anything to be honest. But I just knew that we were all going to be so close together. I think I closed my eyes for the last 20 metres. I didn’t breathe for the last 10. My legs literally are broken, but between Liv and I, it was so close. I’m just obviously happy I got my hand on the wall first, but a great swim to Liv and all the other girls too,” said Gallagher.
Minke Janse van Rensburg set a new world record for swimmers with Down syndrome in the 50m butterfly with a new mark of 36.86 seconds, bettering her own previous record of 37.25 seconds.
“I just want to say thank you to my coach. We trained hard. I’m very happy with the record,” said Janse van Rensburg afterwards.
Commonwealth Games Qualifiers Achieved at the Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships 2026
Aimee Canny: 200m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley
Kaylene Corbett: 200m Breaststroke
Erin Gallagher: 100m Butterfly
Rebecca Meder: 200m Individual Medley
Jessica Thompson: 50m Backstroke
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The 22-year-old Aimee Canny claimed her fourth Commonwealth Games qualifying time, winning a thriller of a 200m Breaststroke final at the Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Thursday, 16 April, 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: “It’s just really nice to see how we can empower one another and swim together and really enjoy being in a competitive environment with the girls that you love.” – Kaylene Corbett
Photo 3 Caption: Minke Janse van Rensburg bettered her own world record for swimmers with Down syndrome, setting her new mark in the 50m Butterfly.
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