Amanzimtoti Swimmer to make splash at SA champs
After the SA schools champs he races at the KZN premier champs three days later.
Amanzimtoti junior swimmer Matthew Maree has been selected to swim at the SA Schools National Swimming Championships in Pretoria from 8 to 13 December. This is a fantastic achievement, as not all the swimmers who made the schools KZN team were selected.
Their current swim times on the KZN Aquatics’ database were scrutinised by the committee and a select few were chosen to represent their province. Matthew was the only swimmer from Toti to be selected.
“I am super excited to be selected to the KZN team that will be going to Pretoria to race at the SA schools champs in December and I am thankful for being noticed by the selectors. I will swim the 50m backstroke, 50m and 100m butterfly.”
The Grade 7 learner has had a busy year, with swimming taking up most of his time. He has achieved well at Amanzimtoti Primary School this year. At an inter-house gala in February, he was the U13 age group champion and was awarded the Victor Ludorum, after winning all five races.
READ ALSO: Toti swimming champ breaks record
He broke two records that had been standing for five years, the 50m freestyle in 30.89 and 50m backstroke in 35.16. He was also a member of the U13 100m freestyle relay that broke a 20-year-old record. “I was happy to break three, because I had worked hard with my training and the results of that hard work was breaking the school records. I was also excited because the records had been standing for a long time.
I have a new swim coach and he is very passionate with his coaching and gives us lots of encouragement at training and galas,” was Matthews response when asked why he thinks his swimming has improved so much.
After the SA schools champs he races at the KZN premier champs three days later at Kings Park from 17 to 21 December. From 4 to 11 January he returns to Pretoria with his swim coach, Marno Langeveldt of Titans Swimming Club, for a clinic with Olympic swimmer Gerhard Zandberg.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti rugga star rises for the Sharks
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