Amanzimtoti swimmer smashes freestyle barrier
Freestyle has always been my fastest stroke, but I love swimming the individual medley.
Amanzimtoti swimming sensation Monica ‘Mica’ Botha broke through the one-minute-one-second barrier to earn herself a gold medal in the 100m short course freestyle at the KZN Seagulls Winter Championship.
The champs were held at the newly opened Kings Park 25m outdoor swimming pool from 26 to 29 September, where 872 swimmers from 64 swimming clubs around South Africa contested the annual meet.
Twelve-year-old Mica held her own against strong competition from Gauteng and added five silver and two bronze medals to her tally, despite an injury during the U14 200m backstroke, which slowed her down on her turns. She also recorded five personal best (PB) times and claimed her gold medal in a time of 1.00.95. She has now set her sights on breaking through the 100m freestyle one-minute barrier.
“We are confident that she will soon achieve the sub-one-minute goal. Monica is dedicated, determined and a hard working athlete. More than that we cannot ask for. She never gives up and does not change her mind once she’s decided what she wants to do next,” said her coach and father, Jan Botha, who remains firm in his belief that his charge is still too young to specialise in a stroke.
READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti swimmer aims for gold in September
“Freestyle has always been my fastest stroke, but I love swimming the individual medley. I would like to start working towards swimming a 400m individual medley (IM) after I recorded my best time of 1.11.07 for the 100m butterfly,” said Mica.
https://www.facebook.com/micabotha/videos/2629331537110099/
“I prefer longer distances of 200m, 400m and 800m, because I just settle into my rhythm and stroke during sprints by which time the race is over.” When asked if she is ready to swim the 200m butterfly, she said she would prefer to wait until she is 13 going on 14 before she tackles a tough race like that. “Once I master the 400 IM, I will set my sights on the 200 butterfly.”
Mica’s 4x50m freestyle relay team placed third in the U13 age group to secure a bronze medal. Her other PBs include: girls 11 to 12-years, 50m breaststroke – 36.99; girls 11 to 12-years, 50m butterfly – 31.41; girls 11 to 12-years, 50m backstroke – 33.90.
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