Things you may not know about Doug Erasmus

Douglas John Erasmus is a prolific swimmer who reigns from Parkrand, Boksburg.

The former CBC learner, who was part of the class of 2009, has truly achieved the best in his career and none more so than his inclusion in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

He competed in the men’s 50-metre freestyle event. He finished 29th in the heats with a time of 22.37 seconds and did not qualify for the semi-finals.

When the Advertiser asked the 30-year-old University of Pretoria graduate about the experience of participating at the pinnacle of the sport, he said: “The Olympic Games are a childhood dream for many swimmers, yet only a few ever reach that mark. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and the belief to achieve. Reaching the Olympics is the highest level a swimmer can reach. I’d describe it as wanting something so bad and eventually achieving it: showing yourself that all the time and effort you put towards one thing has paid off. Racing against the best in the world at the world’s most prestigious event can only make you feel humble for what you have achieved.”

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When the Advertiser quizzed the Olympian if reaching the games left him feeling that he’s achieved all that he could have achieved as a swimmer, he explained: “Reaching the Olympics was my biggest goal. But my biggest addiction is the process of improvement, I always want to be better and faster, and still believe I have not swam my perfect race.”

At the 2016 South Africa Swimming Championships and Olympic trials, Erasmus was the fastest of over 100 competitors in the heats of the 100-metre freestyle event, setting a new personal best of 49.54 seconds. In the semi-finals, he won his race in a time of 49.85 seconds. He eventually finished third in the final, behind Calvyn Justus and Myles Brown.

In the 50-metre freestyle event, Erasmus finished his heat in 22.26 seconds, one-hundredth of a second faster than the Olympic qualification standard. He finished second in the final, behind Brad Tandy in a time of 22.55 seconds but ahead of four-time Olympian Roland Schoeman.

Like many sportsmen, Erasmus’ decorated career began when he drew inspiration from watching his heroes on television, but little did he know that his dreams would come to fruition. The CBC Boksburg matriculant took the sport seriously around the beginning of his high school career. Fast-forward to now as an established South African aquatic super star.

He also explains how he remains at the top of his game. “In 2004, I watched the SA men win gold medal in the 4×100 free relay, and took a liking for the sport. I swam on my school team and finally, I joined Swift Aquatics Swimming Club in Benoni that same year and worked with coach Glen Keevey until 2009.

“Staying motivated is probably one of the hardest things to do. To stay motivated, you have to keep your eye on the main goal at the end. If you have nothing to work towards there is no way you can possibly stay motivated and driven. Setting goals, whether they be weekly goals or long-term goals is definitely the best way.”

The Olympian was the fortunate member of his family who inherited the swimming gene from his grandmother, who too was a great swimmer and thrived in backstroke, which Douglas ironically has never been great in.

A true sportsman who prefers to fuel his body with carbohydrates derived from pizza, Erasmus admits that he’s a sucker for pizza and would struggle to survive without it.

During his schooling days, he played cricket, rugby, ran the cross-country and excelled in triathlon and squash.

Post CBC Boksburg, the swimmer continued to excel with his books as much as he did in the pool. He possesses two degrees: his BCom business management degree as well as an honours degree in marketing management.

On his favourite book, he says: “I have not read many books but one that I have read that was really good was The Alchemist, I would suggest it to anyone.”

He enjoys watching rugby, athletics and basketball.When he’s not swimming, he’s still around the pool as he explained: “If I’m not in the pool I am definitely on the side of pool giving clinics to give back to the up-and-coming swimmers of South Africa and share the knowledge and information I have gained over the years of swimming.”

Erasmus answered the Advertiser’s final question like only Douglas Erasmus can: quizzed on his hidden talents, the aquatic super star modestly replied: “I don’t know of any hidden talents just of yet but I’m quite decent at public speaking.”

The Olympian is yet to be married and has no children: ladies, if you don’t buy the ticket, you can’t win the raffle. – @SabeloBoksburg

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