SWIMMING NEWS - Chad le Clos and Erin Gallagher post Fina World Championships Qualification times during the first day of the SA National Aquatic Championships.
The 2019 SA National Aquatic Championships and Fina World Championships Trials got under way at the Kings Park Aquatic Centre in Durban on Monday.
Olympian Le Clos was in top form as he cruised to the gold medal in both the 200m butterfly and the 100m freestyle, clocking a Fina Qualification time of 1:56.21 in the butterfly and a fast 49.75 in the freestyle, just 0.95secs under the 48.80 requirement.
The silver and bronze in the 200m butterfly were claimed by Ethan du Preez in 1:58.24 and Eben Vorster in 1:58.44, while Ryan Coetzee and Zane Waddell took home the second and third place in the 100m freestyle in 49.84 and 50.28, respectively.
In the 100m freestyle, Gallagher's quick start won her the gold medal in a Fina Qualification time of 54.34 ahead of Aimee Canny in 56.33 and Emma Chelius in 56.43, while in the 800m freestyle, Kate Beavon walked away with the gold medal in 8:59.38, followed by Kristin Bellingan in 9:01.84 and Abi Meder in 9:03.93.
Dune Coetzee narrowly missed out on a Fina Qualification time when she clocked a golden 2:10.89 in the 200m butterfly, just 1.68secs under the required 2:09.21, while Emma Christianson claimed the silver in 2:16.66 and Trinity Hearne the bronze in 2:19.92.
The long-distance 1 500m freestyle title was won by Josh Dannhauser in 15.24.55, followed by Henre Louw in 15.49.32 and Righardt Muller in 15.52.56.
