Milla qualifies for world short course champs in Melbourne
The young teen is now chasing to qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
At only 16, Milla Drakopoulos is the fastest female backstroke swimmer in the South African National Short Course Championship recorded for the season.
Looking back on an incredible 2022, the talented swimmer formerly from Shelly Beach, is now chasing to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Last month, she raced to a B qualifying time in Berlin, Germany for the World Short Course Championships to be held in Melbourne, Australia in December. Her time was a solid 1:00:03 in the women’s 100m backstroke on day two of the Swimming World Cup.
Her coach Wayne Riddin said it was so close to that magical one minute barrier!
Mila said she was so relieved that all the hard training she put in, gave her such an incredible result.
“I’m also very grateful to God, my parents, coach and school for supporting me through it all.”
In September, Milla achieved fifth place in the 50m backstroke final at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships held in Lima, Peru. The gala, for the girls U17 and boys U18 was attended by athletes from 82 countries around the world.
In May, she represented South Africa in Monaco, Barcelona (Spain) and Canet-en-Roussillon (France).
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