Thompson and Le Clos bagged gold at the opening of the swimming Championship. Image: SA Sports Press.
(The Post News)– Jessica Thompson and Chad le Clos opened the SA National Short Course Championships in Pietermaritzburg in style on Thursday, each bagging two gold medals in the 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
Eighteen-year-old Thompson dominated the women’s events, touching first in the 100m freestyle in 54.29 seconds before adding the 50m butterfly title in 25.66. Afterward, she admitted she had been eyeing the national short course record of 25.54, set by Tayla Lovemore back in 2018.
“I did not want to say it, but that was my goal. The record has been there since 2018,” Thompson said. She expressed happiness over securing two PBs, saying that she never anticipated the wins, particularly with “the training block” she has experienced. “I’m very pleased with my swims tonight,” she further expressed.
Meanwhile, Le Clos was just as satisfied with his return to form. He stormed to a convincing win in the men’s 100m freestyle in 47.55 seconds, then went on to claim the 50m butterfly title in 22.79. Rising star Tai Pearson, 18, took silver in 23.64, while 15-year-old Eric Kotze secured bronze in 23.79.
“It felt good, I am happy,” Le Clos, who just got back in action after a lengthy break, expressed. “I am in a really positive space. I have only been training properly for the past six weeks, so to swim solid times again is encouraging and it’s great to see the youngsters performing so well too.”
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