Jessica Thompson stole the show again on the second day of action at the Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships, breaking a national record and equalling the African mark held by Zimbabwe’s new International Olympic Committee president, Kirsty Coventry, in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, 26 September 2025.
The 18-year-old was disappointed to miss out on the SA record in the 50m butterfly on Thursday, but responded in the best way possible, setting a new mark in the 50m backstroke of 26.85 seconds.
This feat saw Thompson breaking the record that had been set by Chanelle van Wyk sixteen years ago. Van Wyk was poolside to witness the achievement, providing the commentary for the television coverage of the championships.
“It’s so good, especially after last night. I think it was a bit of a tough pill to swallow, but I’m really happy to have gotten it tonight and just getting that time is a really big deal for me.”
New SA 50m Backstroke Record Holder, Jessica Thompson
As for having Van Wyk on hand to watch her break her 2009 record, Thompson added: “It was really nice to have her there and seeing where swimming in South Africa is progressing to.”
The women’s 100m butterfly produced a surprise champion in 16-year-old Abigail Kotze, who beat Olympian Duné Coetzee to the title in a time of 1:00.69.
“Obviously, you go into it hoping. I think everyone hopes and believes they can do it. But I’m just so grateful to actually have done it,” said the Western Cape swimmer.
“Swimming against Duné – I’ve been looking up to her since I was ten or eleven, so that was just such a big honour swimming against her.”
100m Butterfly Gold Medalist, Abigail Kotze
Coetzee had earlier picked up victory in the 200m freestyle, winning in a time of 1:59.71.
The 800m freestyle title was decided earlier in the day, with Carli Antonopoulos thrilled to claim a first national short course title, winning in 8 minutes 53.28 seconds.
Antonopoulos was especially pleased with the result, considering the year she has endured – having slipped and broken her arm in February, and only returning to full training in May.
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“It feels good. I’m really happy, especially after what happened at the beginning of the year, breaking my arm and coming back, so it’s been good,” she said of the victory.
There was also a first-time champion in the women’s 400m individual medley, with 18-year-old Keira van Heerden taking the women’s title in 4:51.13.
Van Heerden was taken by surprise by her victory, given this was her first time competing in the 400m individual medley.
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“This is my first time swimming the 400 IM. I just went into it because I wanted to improve my 200 IM, building up more fitness for the 200 so that’s just been the goal the whole time,” explained the 18-year-old.
Swimming action at the Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships continues in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday and runs until Sunday.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Pictured with former record holder, Chanelle van Wyk, Jessica Thompson (right) set a new 50m backstroke national record which equalled the African mark held by Zimbabwe’s IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, on Day 2 action at the Bombela Concession Company SA National Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, 26 September 2025. File Photo: Supplied
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