Over 1 000 swimmers from 180 international locations have converged on Melbourne, Australia for the sixteenth version of the World Short Course Swimming Championships from 13-18 December.
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Among them can be a team of 14 South African hopefuls, trying to make their mark after nearly all of them had been denied the chance at the identical occasion final yr due to the Covid journey ban imposed on the nation at the time.
The solely South African, in a drastically diminished workforce of 4 swimmers, to attain the rostrum at final yr’s Championships was veteran Chad le Clos.
Le Clos simply missed out on a fifth consecutive World Short Course Championships gold within the 100m butterfly in 2021, ending second behind Italian Matteo Rivolta. He’ll be trying to get his arms again on that crown subsequent week, together with the 200m butterfly, which he has received thrice at these championships, however claimed a bronze final day trip.
The 30-year-old star has lately switched his coaching base to Germany and produced a promising efficiency within the FINA World Cup sequence. He surpassed the 150-mark in profession World Cup gold medals and completed third general within the 2022 sequence.
“I think Berlin was a huge World Cup for me to get the confidence back, especially that first 100 fly when I went 48.5 [seconds]. It’s one of the best times I’ve done in six years so it was a huge, huge confidence boost,” stated Le Clos of his latest efficiency.
“There was a change in me … simply in the best way that I strategy races now, it’s sort of just like the outdated model of Chad, not swimming like a determined man. In the final two years, as a result of I had such a foul run outdoors the pool, I simply felt like I had a degree to show to all people and I feel that was hurting my efficiency… when it’s higher simply to concentrate on what you’re good at and never be so determined about it.
“I would be very happy with two medals in Melbourne. I haven’t been world champion in four years so of course the dream is to be world champion – I’d be very grateful,” added Le Clos who has an unbelievable file of 10 gold medals at the World Short Course Championships since successful his first in 2010. He’ll be competing within the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly subsequent week.
Watch out for Matt Sates
Meanwhile, additionally trying to attain the rostrum in Melbourne can be 19-year-old Matt Sates, who received the general title in final yr’s FINA World Cup sequence and completed fifth this yr.
“I am feeling good heading into Melbourne. I love racing short course and I think the past two years have given me a lot of experience and so I am more comfortable knowing how to race each event,” added the Maritzburg swimmer who can be competing within the 200m and 400m freestyle and the 200m and 400m particular person medley.
Two extra youngsters who burst onto the worldwide scene this yr are additionally hoping to be within the combine in Melbourne – Lara van Niekerk and Pieter Coetzé, each of whom topped the rostrum at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Van Niekerk has since had foot surgical procedure and solely simply returned to coaching however is relishing the possibility to get again to racing.
“Training has been going well – I made sure to listen to the doctors and take it one step at a time getting back in the pool and that’s paid off. It was always going to be tight to prepare for the World Champs after surgery, but rehab went smoothly and everything healed as it needed to, so I have managed to get back to training 100 percent again,” stated the 50m and 100m breaststroke Commonwealth Games champion who additionally claimed a bronze medal at the lengthy course World Championships in Budapest this yr.
“I really just want to execute my race plans as well as I can and focus on soaking up the experience. Of course I would love a podium finish as well, but first priority for me is getting the best out of my body – the end result will take care of itself.”
18-year-old backstroke star Coetzé claimed gold, silver and bronze at the Commonwealth Games and is hoping his kind will convert to brief course competitors, which is contested in a 25m pool.
Money incentive
“I would say I’m pretty confident heading into Melbourne. It is short course which I wouldn’t say is my strong suit with it having more underwaters and turns… but I have been trying to work on it so I’m just excited to see the improvement which I do believe there will be,” stated Coetzé, who additionally claimed a gold, three silvers and a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Peru this yr.
“I wouldn’t say everyone in the swimming world knows my name, but it is more out there, and I think that’s good. I like the extra pressure or the expectations that people have – I think it drives me… But I know exactly what I want and what I expect. And I think that’s the only thing that matters to me.”
Coetzé can be competing within the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke in addition to the 50m freestyle.
Extra incentive for all of the swimmers competing in Melbourne is the prize cash on supply with a assured $2 000 (R35 000) for reaching a last and $10 000 (R175 000) going to the winner. A swimmer breaking a world file will earn themselves $25 000 (R435 000).
SA workforce at the World Short Course Championships 2023:
Women: Caitlyn de Lange, Milla Drakopoulos, Stephanie Houtman, Rebecca Meder, Hannah Pearse, Dakota Tucker, Lara van Niekerk, Emily Visagie
Men: Pieter Coetzé, Simon Haddon, Clayton Jimmie, Kian Keylock, Chad le Clos, Matthew Sates