Tayla Jonker provided the highlight of Wednesday morning’s racing, storming to a new South African record in the 50m backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024.
The 19-year-old finished fourth in her heat in a time of 28.37 seconds, to not only better the mark set by Olivia Nel at last year’s National Championships, but also book a place in her first-ever World Championships semifinal, as the 12th fastest qualifier overall.
Photo: Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
Jonker couldn’t quite match that speed in her semifinal, finishing eighth in 28.48 seconds.
The mixed 4x100m medley relay team of Pieter Coetzé, Lara van Niekerk, Erin Gallagher and Clayton Jimmie also missed out on the semifinals after finishing 10th overall in 3:48.03.
World Championships swimming continues on Thursday with Erin Gallagher in action for South Africa in the 100m morning heats.
Main Photo Caption: Tayla Jonker stormed to a new South African record in the 50m backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, on Wednesday, 14 February, 2024. Photo: Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
Photo 2 Caption: The 19-year-old’s achievement booked her first-ever World Championships semifinal. Photo: Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
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