SWIMMING NEWS - A local swimmer with Down syndrome, Minke Janse van Rensburg, will attend a special Swimming SA (SSA) gala event in Johannesburg this Saturday, 29 November, where she has been named a finalist for the para-athlete of the year.
Her dad, Hennie, says their family are deeply grateful that the SSA has recognised Minke's outstanding season and placed her alongside top Paralympians such as Christiaan Sadie (28).
The nomination follows an extraordinary year for this 21-year-old star, who has dominated both national and international competition. Between September 2024 and August 2025, Minke broke 14 world records across Virtus II2 (S18) and Dsiso categories, collected a haul of medals at major events, and climbed to the position of the top II2 long-course female swimmer in the world.
At the Sasa-II National Championship she won 12 gold medals and was crowned best overall swimmer, while at the Virtus World Swimming Championship in Bangkok, she medalled in all 11 of her events, earning six golds and topping the II2 points list.
"Saturday's invitation is a celebration of a season defined by hard work, heart and history-making performances," says Hennie. "From a young age, Minke loved associating with the senior swimmers at the national galas, closely watching and imitating their warm-up routines. Recognition like this - being seated at the same table as they - is incredibly motivating for her."
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