Hannah Pearse was the final addition to the Commonwealth Games qualifying list on the last day of the Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships, sailing to victory in the 200m backstroke to secure her place at the Commonwealth Games, in Gqeberha on Saturday, 18 April, 2026.
“It’s surreal. It’s a big dream, so I can’t believe the dream finally came true.”
2026 SA 200m Backstroke Champion, Hannah Pearse
“I knew I had it in me, but I wasn’t sure. It’s been a rough year with lots of ups and downs,” said the neurophysiology honours student after the race. “So the belief was there, but it was a deep-down belief and we had to really dig deep to find it.”
The other two Commonwealth Games qualifiers on Saturday were Erin Gallagher and Caitlin de Lange, who finished first and second in the 50m butterfly.
Both swimmers had already achieved the qualifying time in the morning heats and did it again in the evening, Gallagher taking the title in 25.63 seconds and de Lange claiming silver in 25.98 seconds.
“It was always going to be close. It’s all about the start, and the finish, and timing everything perfectly,” explained Gallagher, who also won the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle titles at these championships.
“You never really know what to expect, and it’s always great when it pays off. But it’s a splash and dash. You don’t have much time to think, you kind of just close your eyes and go for it.”
2026 SA Triple Champion, Erin Gallagher
De Lange agreed. “The 50 is always such a hit-or-miss. From the start you either feel so great or so bad, and you just ride along with it. But that was a really fun race,” she said.
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A total of eight women swimmers achieved Commonwealth Games qualifying times at the Bombela Concession Company SA Swimming Championships 2026, with Aimee Canny emerging as the standout performer after securing four titles and four qualifying performances.
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
Caitlin de Lange: 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly
Erin Gallagher: 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle
Rebecca Meder: 200m Individual Medley
Hannah Pearse: 200m Backstroke
Jessica Thompson: 50m Backstroke
Lara van Niekerk: 50m Breaststroke
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Hannah Pearse celebrates with tears of joy after claiming the 200m backstroke title and securing her Commonwealth Games qualifying time on the final day of the SA Swimming Championships, in Gqeberha on Saturday, 18 April, 2026. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Erin Gallagher and Caitlin de Lange deliver a thrilling 50m butterfly finale, with both securing their Commonwealth Games qualifying standards.
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