Rebecca Meder took over half a second off Zimbabwean Olympic great Kirsty Coventry's African 200m individual medley record on the opening night of the World Short Course Swimming Championships, in Budapest on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024. File Photo: World Aquatics

Rebecca Meder took over half a second off Zimbabwean Olympic great Kirsty Coventry’s African 200m individual medley record on the opening night of the World Short Course Swimming Championships, in Budapest on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024.

Having qualified as the fourth fastest swimmer in the morning heats in a new South African record of 2:06.15, Meder went even better in the evening final, smashing Coventry’s mark on her way to sixth place in 2:05.61.

The previous record of 2:06.13 had stood for over 16 years.

Meder admitted afterwards that while she was targeting the record, it still came as a surprise. “I knew I had a 2:06 in me. 2:05 was a big surprise!” she said. 

“I was obviously aiming for that African record and have for a while. I mean Kirsty Coventry is a legend in the medley!

African Record Holder, Rebecca Meder

“It’s a good start to the week, it’s not over. So I have to put that one behind me – as stoked and happy as I am – and focus on the 100 breaststroke tomorrow, then the 100IM and 200 breaststroke.”

Meder’s race was won by American Kate Douglass in a new world record of 2:01.63.

Earlier in the day, Jessica Thompson missed out on a place in the 50m butterfly semifinals by just one hundredth of a second, after finishing her heat in a personal best time of 25.73 seconds.

“I’m pretty happy for day one, first senior international competition, so I’m quite happy that it’s a PB, even though it’s by a little bit of a split,” said the 17-year-old after finishing 17th overall, with just the top 16 progressing.

“Missing the semi is quite a hard pill to swallow, but I still have the 50 back coming up so I’m excited about that and hopefully that will go well.”

SA Butterfly and Backstroke Specialist, Jessica Thompson

Thompson swam in the race directly after American Gretchen Walsh stormed to victory in her 50m butterfly heat in a new world record time of 24.02 seconds, before improving on that mark to 23.94 seconds in the evening semifinals – one of five overall individual world records broken on the opening day of competition in Budapest.

Meanwhile, Hannah Robertson finished 28th overall in the 400m freestyle in a time of 4:12.77, while 18-year-old Milla Drakopoulos was 26th in the 100m backstroke, in 59.33 seconds.

Swimming action resumes in Budapest on Wednesday and continues until Sunday, 15 December.

Women Participants in the South African Team

Cailtin de Lange (50, 100m freestyle)
Milla Drakopoulos (100m backstroke)
Stephanie Houtman (800, 1500m freestyle)
Rebecca Meder (100, 200m breaststroke, 100, 200m individual medley)
Jaime Mote (100m butterfly)
Hannah Pearse (200m backstroke)
Hannah Robertson
Jessica Thompson (50m butterfly, 50m backstroke)
Lara van Niekerk (50, 100m breaststroke)


Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Rebecca Meder took over half a second off Zimbabwean Olympic great Kirsty Coventry’s African 200m individual medley record on the opening night of the World Short Course Swimming Championships, in Budapest on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024. Photo: World Aquatics

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