OPINION: Depth and balance in SA swimming should produce medals

In any sport, succession is key, and it’s always a challenge to find the right balance between rising talent and experienced stars when South African teams are selected for international events.

Following the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha last week, it is clear that swimming is finding that balance, with a host of individuals showing tremendous potential in the build-up to the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka later this year.

A total of 12 swimmers achieved A-standard qualifying times for the global showpiece, ensuring they will receive automatic selection, while many others clocked B-qualifying times to give themselves a chance of joining the national squad at the biennial spectacle.

Young talent

Of the 12 swimmers who have already booked their places in the team, six are under the age of 21, including top-flight prospects Pieter Coetze, Lara van Niekerk, Matt Sates and Aimee Canny, who are all still teenagers.

Coetze broke the national men’s 100m backstroke record in Gqeberha, clocking 52.78, while 20-year-old Rebecca Meder set a new SA women’s record in the 200m individual medley, touching the wall in 2:11.39.

Though she didn’t achieve the A-qualifying standard, 20-year-old Olivia Nel broke the SA 50m backstroke record, stopping the clock in 28.39, while rising stars Dune Coetzee and Rebecca Meder also flaunted their tremendous talent.

Experienced stars

And as promising as these results were, experienced swimmers were equally impressive at the national championships.

Olympic champion Tatjana Schoenmaker displayed superb form, while four-time Olympic medallist Chad le Clos continued his comeback at the highest level.

The other four automatic World Championships qualifiers – Emma Chelius, Kaylene Korbett, Erin Gallagher and Michael Houlie – also proved they were still at the height of their elite careers.

Perhaps most stunning in terms of experienced campaigners, however, was veteran Roland Schoeman.

At the age of 42, Schoeman won his first national senior title since 2015, taking the 50m butterfly in 23.83 to achieve a B-qualifying time for Fukuoka.

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From 18-year-old Coetze to 42-year-old Schoeman, South African swimming is clearly in a good space, and the balance couldn’t be better.

This sort of depth will almost certainly translate into medals, not only at the World Championships, but also at next year’s Olympic Games.