Young swimmer hits Senior World’s Best Championship qualifying time in junior nationals
After achieving big in the Junoir Nationals the talented swimmer Jessica Thompson will now be focusing on the Senior Nationals and hoping to do her best
Grade 10 learner Jessica Thompson walked away with eight medals at the South African Junior National Gala 2023 which was held in KwaZulu- Natal.
Thompson managed to secure a Senior World’s Best Championship qualifying time for the 50m butterfly which makes her eligible for selection for the South African team, travelling to Japan in July this year.
She took home five gold medals in her individual 50m back, fly and freestyle events as well as her 100m back and butterfly. She won a silver for her 100m freestyle individual event as well as a silver and a bronze medal for her relays.
She said that she feels very accomplished winning the medals at junior nationals.
“It was a reassurance for me knowing that all the hard work and sacrifices have been paying off to achieve what I’ve been striving for in this sport and totally trusting the process. The best part of it for me is that it was fun.”
Thompson enjoyed the fruits of all her hard work as she attained four Junior World Championship qualifying times in her 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle events as well as her 100m backstroke.
Thompson said that her preparations leading up to this gala required countless hours of hard work, including many morning, afternoon and evening sessions.
“The juniors were a great preparation leading up to senior nationals. The girls in my age group are exceptionally talented and having the opportunity to race against them definitely pushed me and made me reach levels I never thought I could.”
She is straight back to training with her club who placed five overall amongst 94 teams in the medal count.
The young swimmer will now be focusing on the senior nationals in Gqeberha from the 12-16th of April.
“I’m looking to enjoy every swim that I take on at senior nationals, trying to achieve personal best times. Getting to race against our Olympic swimmers is definitely a highlight for me.”
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