SWIMMING NEWS - Minke Janse van Rensburg (15) is the new Down Syndrome Open Africa record holder for 100m freestyle.

Finishing it in 1:24:16 at the Eden 3rd A-league long course gala on 16 November in Oudtshoorn, Minke not only improved her own Down Syndrome junior world record by almost two seconds, but she also broke the Open Africa record of her role model, the 27-year-old swimmer Melisa O'Neill (1:24:86).

Minke's dad, Hennie Janse van Rensburg, said Minke was excited about the race and the time improvement.

"She was over the moon when she learned that she broke Melisa's record."

O'Neill was honoured as the best female swimmer with Down syndrome at the world championship in Canada last year.

He said in each of Minke's four most recent galas (two short course and two long course), she has bettered the junior world record in this item with about 2 seconds. She is now within reach of the Open World record that was set three years ago by the 31-year-old Mexican, Dunia Camacho.

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