In a thrilling display of power and skill, Lara Schoenmaker secured her place in the 100m breaststroke final at the global swimming championships. Schoenmaker finished second in her semi-final with a time of 1:06.61, trailing behind former Russian world champion Yuliya Efimova who won with a time of 1:05.56. This impressive result marks Schoenmaker’s first final appearance at the global championships, giving her a shot at a medal.
Schoenmaker expressed her joy at the opportunity to compete on such a grand stage. “I am happy, I came second in my heat so now in the final I have a chance, and I am here for the experience to race. So it is awesome,” she said.
While pleased with her performance, Schoenmaker remained grounded, recognizing her potential for improvement. She believes that a brief rest will help her recover and regain her strength before the final. “I have a morning rest, so hopefully that will help me a bit, and I have to trust my stroke. It is hard when you are racing these fast people,” she shared.
Her confidence shines through as she prepares to compete against the world’s best. “You see them sprinting next to you, and you think ‘am I behind’ so it is about racing your race,” Schoenmaker concluded, highlighting her focus on her own performance and strategy.
South African Swimmers and Water Polo Team Shine Bright
Schoenmaker wasn’t the only South African making waves at the championships. Despite a tough morning of heats, Christopher Reid came agonizingly close to securing a spot in the men’s 100m backstroke semi-finals. He finished 19th overall with a time of 54.12 seconds, falling just short of the top 16. Reid remained optimistic about his performance, stating, “It was a good race for me…it showed me that I still had some speed, the 200m backstroke is the priority for me, I will give it my best shot in the 200m and technically nothing is wrong.”
In the women’s 100m backstroke, Mariella Venter finished third in her heat with a time of 1:02.95 but unfortunately missed the cut for the next round. Eben Vorster competed in the men’s 200m freestyle heats, finishing 44th overall with a time of 1:51.70.
Beyond the swimming pool, the South African women’s water polo team made history by achieving their best-ever finish at the world championships. The team secured 14th place after a spirited battle against Japan, ending their campaign with a 21-2 defeat. Despite the loss, Georgia Moir and Amica Hallendorff managed to score South Africa’s only goals, showcasing their skill and determination. This impressive finish marks a significant improvement from their 17th-place finish in 2017.
Their dedication and hard work paid off with a notable victory against the host nation, South Korea, on Sunday, winning 26-3. This victory served as a testament to their ability to compete against top teams and solidify their place among the world’s best.
Swimming South Africa: Championing Aquatics for All
Swimming South Africa is the organization that guides and supports all aspects of aquatics in South Africa. Their mission is to make swimming accessible and enjoyable for everyone, promoting it as a valuable life skill through Learn To Swim programs and providing healthy exercise options for all ages. They also play a crucial role in developing competitive swimmers and fostering a strong athletic community. Swimming South Africa is supported by SASCOC, National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Arena, Sport & Recreation SA and Rand Water.
