Teenager Milla Drakopoulos claimed the women’s 100m backstroke title in a time of 1:01.70, just short of the Olympic qualifying mark, at the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Thursday 11 April 2024.
The Pietermaritzburg-based 17-year-old swimmer is still determined to book her ticket to Paris later this year and will target the time again in the medley relay.
“The time wasn’t too good but I’m just grateful to God. It’s been a tough week. I’ve been racing a lot. I’ve still got the relay on Saturday which will help, I’ve got a day off tomorrow so I can rest and hopefully get that time on Saturday.”
2024 Milla 100m Backstroke Champions, Milla Drakopoulos
“My PB is only 1.2 seconds off and I’ve been training like I’ve never been training before so the time will come,” said Drakopoulos.
Duné Coetzee swam a new PB of 4:09.43 to claim the women’s 400m freestyle gold while Dakota Tucker swam two personal bests on her way to the national title in the women’s 200m individual medley.
The US-based teenager Tucker finished her morning heat in 4:47.95 and then bettered that in the evening with a 4:47.09.
Meanwhile, there were several more qualifying swims in the Paralympic events with Alani Ferreira and Danika Vynck both impressing on Thursday.
Ferreira achieved her times in the SB12 100m breaststroke heats and then again in the final, finishing in 1:22.92.
“I’m really happy. I had a knee op in the beginning of December so I was really not sure where I was going to be so I’m just feeling so relieved because now I know I’m on track,” she said afterwards.
“It was definitely painful but the good type of pain that you know you’re working hard and luckily I have a rest day tomorrow and then 100 free on the last day so I’m looking forward to it.”
Danika Vynck swam her qualifier in the final of the SB13 100m breaststroke, finishing in 1:22.41.
Swimming action continues at the Newton Park Swimming Pool on Friday.
Swimmers who have Achieved Olympic Qualifying Times at the SA Championships 2024
Kaylene Corbett (200m breaststroke)
Tatjana Smith (200m breaststroke)
Swimmers who have Achieved Paralympic Qualifying Times at the SA Championships 2024
Kat Swanepoel
Alani Ferreira
Danika Vynck
Original Copy: Swimming South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Teenager Milla Drakopoulos claimed the women’s 100m backstroke title in a time of 1:01.70, just short of the Olympic qualifying mark, on Day 4 of the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha on Thursday, 11 April 2024. Photo: SA Sports Images/Anton Geyser
Photo 2 Caption: Paralympic contender Alani Ferreira achieved her times in the SB12 100m breaststroke heats, and again in the final. Photo: SA Sports Images/Anton Geyser
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
