‘I’m back’: Chad le Clos celebrates golden double

Former Olympic champion Chad le Clos was celebrating his return to form at the weekend after closing his campaign with a second gold medal at the World Short-Course Swimming Championships in Melbourne.

Le Clos completed a golden butterfly double by adding the 100m title to the 200m he won earlier in the week, cruising to victory in a time of 48.59 seconds to beat Canada’s Ilya Kharun, who swam a world junior record of 49.03 for silver.

Back to his best

“I’ve won 12 (short course) world titles individually now, but the most important world title was that 200 fly, just to get myself back,” said the 30-year-old South African.

“It’s been amazing having my dad travel with me for the last three or four weeks, and having my coach with me for the last few months. It’s been a very special time.”

Meanwhile, teenager Lara van Niekerk also stepped on the podium after grabbing the silver medal in the women’s 50m breaststroke final in an African record of 29.09.

Only Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte, who shattered the world record in Saturday’s semifinals, was quicker, taking gold in 28.50.

Le Clos and Van Niekerk’s medals, in addition to Matt Sates’ gold in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 400m individual medley saw South Africa finishing fifth on the medals table at the global championships behind the USA, Australia, Italy and Canada.