Local swimmers take on the pros

POLOKWANE – Sulé van der Merwe and Ude Fuchs of Eagar Aquatics competed against professional swimmers during the senior South Africa Short Course Swimming Championship that was held in Pietermaritzburg recently.

According to the club head coach, Douggie Eagar, the duo did exceptionally well at the championship. “It was not an easy tournament and my swimmers had to face professional swimmers such as Chad le Clos to win the prizes. I am happy with their performance and I am sure they have learnt a thing or two during the championships,” said Eagar.

Van der Merwe was awarded a silver medal in 200 m backstroke, bronze medal in 200 m butterfly and she also competed in six other finals. Fuchs could not win any medal but managed to claim the fourth place in various swimming styles. He also made it to eight finals in different swimming styles during the championships. Fuchs was in the top eight seniors in eight events.

He will be preparing for the world swimming championship that will take place in Singapore from August 25 to 30. “He said, “The championships taught me a lot of things and I will go back to the drawing board to rectify the mistakes I did so that I will not repeat them in the world championship.”

Eagar said Fuchs did not rest enough since he participated in few events prior to the SA Short Course Championship and this might be the reason why he did not win any medal. He added that he was certain that he should have done a lot better if he had enough time to rest.

“Fuchs was taking part in four swimming championships every night and that was a bit tough for him. Van der Merwe will compete in the 2018 Commonwealth Games that will be held at Gold Coast City, in the southeast of the Australian state of Queensland from April 5 to 15,” explained Eagar.

Van der Merwe said she was looking forward to the games and said she was happy with the achievements from the SA Short Course Championship.

She further said it was not easy but she did her best.