Team South Africa’s para swimmers put in record-breaking performances at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal.
Kat Swanepoel came within 0.10 of a second of dipping under the one-minute barrier when she broke the SA and African records in the women’s SB3 50m breaststroke.
The 34-year-old Tokyo Paralympian finished fourth in the evening’s final in 1:00.10, only 45 seconds off winning the bronze medal. Earlier, she had shattered the SA and African records, finishing third in her heat in 1:00.98. That was nearly seven seconds faster than her qualifying entry time of 1:07.25, a remarkable improvement.
Two-time Team SA Paralympian, Alani Ferreira was also in record-breaking form. Taking part in the women’s S13 100m butterfly, Ferreira clocked an African record in 1:8.56.
“I’m very happy with my race,” said Ferreira.
“I didn’t have the build-up coming into Worlds that I wanted, and this isn’t my main event, but I can’t be anything other than happy with the result, to get a PB and a record in my first swim.”
In the evening’s final, she once again lowered the African record, finishing seventh in 1:18.17.
More than 500 athletes from 59 countries are competing at the World Para Swimming Championships in what is the largest international Para sport event to take place in Portugal.
Photo 1 Caption: Two-time Team SA Paralympian, Alani Ferreira in record-breaking form at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal. Photo. Alani Ferreira (Instagram)
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