Amanzimtoti swimmer splashes into 2020
At the KZN Aquatics Provincial Long Course Championship, she pulled off another freestyle hat-trick.
Amanzimtoti swimmer Monica ‘Mica’ Botha did not have much of a Christmas, as she spent most of her time in the pool, competing at the Premier Champs at Kings Park pool from 17 to 22 December. Although she is still 12-years-old, she swam in the 12 to 13-year category, which meant she competed against 13-year-olds who will turn 14 this year.
There have also been some changes in local swimming circles – North Coast Dolphins registered swimmers now swim for the Seals Swimming Club North Coast. “It opens up new opportunities for the senior swimmers, as merging means that all swimmers train using programmes provided by coach Wayne Ridden. Dominique Donner from North Coast Dolphins made this decision to offer more opportunities to competitive swimmers. I can’t believe in the junior club we are now senior,” said Mica.
Mica will now race as a member of the Seals Swimming Club North Coast. She still trains with North Coast Dolphins, but on the Seals’ swimming club programme. Her coach and father, Jan is now school coach at Crawford School and her mother Marinda runs the NC Dolphins learn-to-swim school, which allows Monica to train with Seals North Coast.
Last year was a phenomenal one for the young swimmer. At the eThekwini Junior Championships from 12 to 13 October, she retained her title as top female swimmer in her age group, a title she has owned since 2013 (ages eight, nine, 10, 11 and 12).
READ ALSO: Toti swimming champ breaks record
At the KZN Aquatics Provincial Long Course Championship at Kings Park pool from 17 to 22 December, she pulled off another freestyle hat-trick and claimed the following medals: Gold in the 400m freestyle with a personal best time of 4.51.34; silver in the 200m freestyle with a personal best time of 2.17.04; bronze in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1.04.11.
In the relays, her and her team achieved silver in the mixed 13-years-and-under 4 x 50m; gold in the mixed 13-years-and-under 4 x 50m freestyle; and gold in the women 13-years-and-under 4 x 50m freestyle. “I am now working towards competing at the Durban Grand Prix in February and SA National Junior Championships in April,” said Mica.
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