The SA National Aquatics Championships concluded on Sunday, 16 April 2023, where Erin Gallagher achieved an A-qualification time for the World Championships.
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 15-year-old Jessica Thompson (26.91).
“I think we always hope to go faster but it always comes down to the race and there was really good competition in that race so I was happy to come away with the win to be honest. There are some fast little 15-year-olds there so the tables have turned now, but I’m happy with the win and I know what I need to work on so I’m very happy overall,” said Gallagher.
There was also an A-qualifier in the 400m freestyle, Duné Coetzee claiming the title in 4:10.49.
“I tried to go fast from the beginning but my first 200 I wasn’t as in control as I wanted to be. I wanted to feel the water, which is something I can fix, but I came back really strong which I’m very happy about,” said Coetzee.
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.
“I just felt like I still had more to give and it’s always nice to make the most of a long block of training and then a taper because we don’t get that very often,” said Chelius.
“And especially for a 50 I think all those small details have to come together so I really just wanted to have another crack at it. I’m very glad that it paid off and I feel very relieved and happy that it’s done.
“I think I was a lot more aggressive this morning. I knew I had nothing to lose.”
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 A-qualifying time for the Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester by a massive margin.
Alani Ferreira also achieved the required A-qualifying time in the S13 400m freestyle (5:01.56).
Swimmers who achieved A qualifying times for the World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan at the SA National Aquatic Championships:
Aimee Canny: 200m freestyle
Emma Chelius: 50m freestyle
Duné Coetzee: 400, 800m freestyle
Kaylene Corbett: 200m breaststroke
Erin Gallagher: 50, 100m butterfly
Rebecca Meder: 200m individual medley
Tatjana Schoenmaker: 50, 100, 200m breaststroke
Lara van Niekerk: 50, 100m breaststroke
Photo 1 Caption: The SA National Aquatics Championships concluded on Sunday, 16 April 2023, where Erin Gallagher achieved an A-qualification time for the World Championships. 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 15-year-old Jessica Thompson (26.91). Photo: Swimming SA / Supplied
With editing by gsport
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