Toti swimming sensation Monica Botha (8) scooped an incredible eight gold medals at the annual Beavers Winter Championships from 28 to 30 August at Kings Park swimming pool.
She swam 10 events over the three days, of which four were meet records, one level two time in the girls’ 12-years-old and under 200m long course freestyle), six personal best times and two of her gold medals were in the 12-years-old and under categories.
Monica also received the prize for the best eight-years-old and under female swimmer at the swim meet with a total of 96 points.
She now has level two qualifying times for the 50m, 100m and 200m long course freestyle at her young age.
Results: Girls eight-years-old and under 100m long course backstroke – 1.32.17 (gold and personal best); eight-years-old and under 200m long course individual medley – 3.24.86 (gold and meet record); girls eight-years-old and under 50m long course freestyle – 37.37 (gold and meet record); girls eight-years-old and under 100m long course breaststroke – 1.49.20 (gold, meet record and personal best; girls 12-years-old and under 200m long course freestyle – 2.51.28 (personal best and level 2 qualifying time); girls eight-years-old and under 50m long course butterfly – 43.12 (gold, meet record and personal best); girls eight-years-old and under 50m long course backstroke – 43.53 (gold and personal best); girls eight-years-old and under 50m long course breaststroke – 50.54 (gold); girls eight-years-old and under 100m long course freestyle – 37.37 (gold and meet record); girls 12-years-old and under 200m long course breaststroke – 3.44.12 (personal best).
Monica swims for the Seagulls Swim Club and is trained by her father Jan Botha at a local gym.
At the meet Jan received the HY-tek coach’s prize for the coach with the swimmer who earned the most points in session three of the gala.
“This cash prize will go into Monica’s savings as she did the work,” said her mother, Marinda Stuiwer.
“Jan is now a qualified American Swimming Association level 1 coach and working on completing level 2, which is stroke school.
Monica’s next big event is the KZN junior championships, which will also take place at Kings Park swimming pool on 26 and 27 September.
We are very proud of her, as she is so dedicated and committed to make swimming not just a sport, but also a career,” said Marinda.
