National selection for local swimmer
Savannah Barman (15) is making a splash in open water swimming.
The Farrarmere resident was recently selected to swim for South Africa at the 2014 Fina World Junior Open Water Swimming Championship, in Eilat, Israel, from August 28 to 30.
In order to gain selection for this championship, the St Dominic’s School, Boksburg, pupil needed to finish in a top two position in her u-16 age group, at the South African National Open Water Championships, in a 5km swim held at Midmar Dam earlier this year.
For Barman, the sky is the limit and her plans of swimming at either the 2016 or 2020 Olympic Games are gathering momentum.
Commenting on her selection for the national team the young swimmer said: “When I heard that I had made the national team I burst into tears.
“I have been working really hard, so I am extremely happy.”
She will start her training for Israel in mid-July and, currently, will continue with her regular routine at the Boksburg Aquatics Centre under the guidance of Wade and Bev Marshall.
Her coach, Wade, said he is “over the moon” for the young swimmer and praised her for her hard work, dedication and perseverance.
“She fully deserves this achievement for all the hard work that she puts in,” he said.
Barman has accomplished a great deal in recent months, including qualifying to go to Level Three, in Cape Town, in March, and qualifying for the South African Senior/Youth Nationals, in Durban, in April.
She also received a number of accolades at the Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA) Awards, on May 10, for participating in the 2013/2014 Open Water Nationals and the Elite Youth Nationals, being the Top Performer at provincial level, Open Water Swimmer of the Year and Top Performer at the Open Water Nationals.
She also broke records in the shorter 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 400m individual medley at the EGA Championships.
