fbpx
17.5 C
Cape Town
Thursday, November 14, 2024

Commonwealth Games: Gold medals in the pool for South Africa

Published on

Team South Africa has claimed double gold in swimming at the 2022 Commonwealth Games so far.

Lara van Niekerk claimed South Africa’s first gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games on Saturday as she won the 50m breaststroke final.

Swimming in lane 1, Van Niekerk didn’t have the best of starts, but a superb finish saw her touch the wall in 29.73, a new Games record.

She finished ahead of Imogen Clark (England) in 30.02 and Chelsea Hodges (Australia) in 30.05.

Two other South Africans, Tatjana Schoenmaker, finished fourth with Kaylene Corbett in sixth.

In the men’s 100m backstroke final, Pieter Coetze produced a stunning swim to come home first.

Swimming in lane 4, Coetze powered into the lead and kept his consistency despite a charge by several other competitors.

However, the 18-year-old held on to touch the wall in 53.78 to seal gold for South Africa.

England’s Brodie Williams came second in 53.91, while Australian Bradley Woodward took the bronze medal (54.06).

Read more: SA Soccer legend Benni McCarthy joins Manchester United as a first-team coach

Liesl Smit
Liesl Smit
Liesl is the Smile 90.4FM News Manager. She has been at Smile since 2016, with nearly 20 years experience in the radio industry, including reading news, field reporting and producing. In 2008 she won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award, Western Cape region. liesl@smile904.fm

Latest articles

World Diabetes Day: Know The Warning Signs

  On World Diabetes Day, provincial health authorities have emphasised the need for early detection, treatment and education, to reduce diabetes complications.   South Africa has more...

Green Point site earmarked for affordable housing

  A mixed-use development, which includes affordable housing and commercial opportunities, may soon come to Green Point.   On Tuesday, the City's Mayoral Committee gave the green...

Grade 3 learner’s aspiration to become a gangster sparks concern

  The Cape Flats Safety Forum says it is deeply disturbed by the answer sheet of a Grade 3 Cape Town learner after he wrote...