Erin Gallagher came within a fingertip of a first World Championship medal, finishing just out of the medals in the 50m butterfly in Doha on Saturday night, 17 February, 2024.
Gallagher missed out on the bronze medal by just two hundredths of a second, finishing in fourth spot in 25.69 seconds with continental rival Farida Ousman of Egypt claiming bronze in 25.67 seconds. Sweden’s Sarah Sjöström took the gold in 24.63 and France’s Melanie Henique the silver in 25.44.
South Africa’s Commonwealth Games champion Lara van Niekerk was in semifinal action on Saturday night, progressing to the 50m breaststroke final fifth fastest, after finishing second behind China’s Qianting Tang in her semifinal in 30.56 seconds.
Lithuania’s world record holder Ruta Meilutyte was the fastest qualifier in 29.42.
“It was a good swim. There were a few mistakes I made – I had a very long glide into the wall that cost me about half a second,” said Van Niekerk, who claimed the bronze in this event at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest. “So luckily that happened now, and then hopefully it won’t happen again tomorrow.”
“It’s always great representing the country at the highest level of competition. It is obviously very nerve-wracking, but I’m very excited as this is one of my favourite races.”
Lara van Niekerk to Compete in the World Championships 50m Breaststroke Final
Earlier in the day both Gallagher and Emma Chelius competed in the 50m freestyle heats. Gallagher finished seventh in her heat in 25.37 seconds and 17th overall, while Chelius was sixth in her heat in 25.50 and 23rd overall, with both missing out on the evening semifinals – Gallagher by just one place.
The World Aquatics Championships wraps up today with the SA women’s 4x100m medley relay team competing in the morning heats, while Van Niekerk will contest her final in the evening session.
Photo Caption: South Africa’s Commonwealth Games champion Lara van Niekerk is nerve-wracked but excited after progressing to Sunday’s 50m breaststroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in the UAE on Saturday night. Photo: Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
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