Team South Africa swimmers bring home 59 medals from the Region 5 Youth Games in Lilongwe, Malawi.

By GARY LEMKE in Lilongwe

When Team South Africa’s swimmers arrive back at OR Tambo International they will walk through customs with nothing to declare, except a bagful of medals and lifelong memories following their successful haul at the Region 5 Youth Games in Lilongwe, Malawi.

By the end of the competition, Team SA had collected 33 gold medals, which is eight more than they won at last year’s Games in Maseru, Lesotho. The stand-out swimmer among the boys was Petrus Truter who takes home 10 medals, nine of which are gold, and amongst the girls Simone Moll also has a lot of packing to do, while 15-year-old Kaitlynne Horne also stuck up her hand as one to watch in the coming years.

In fact, there were smiles and proud faces throughout the swim squad. Ethan Bailey (400m free), Kwezi Jacobs (50m free), Wikus Potgieter (50m back), Megan Stewart (200m IM), Truter (200m breaststroke), Horne (200m back) and Kaydn Naidoo (100m fly) all added to their individual tallies by winning gold on Wednesday’s final day in the pool.

Bailey, a business administration student at the University of the Western Cape set the tone for the session when he won the 400m freestyle in a personal best 4:10.40. That was a full second off his previous best and he was understandably delighted. “This race takes a lot of fitness but it’s one of my main events. You have to know what your speed is and it was a hard race. This pool is amazing, it feels fast. I’ve enjoyed this meet, and the social aspect has been great as well!”

The day’s programme was based on timed finals, which meant that the times of each heat were compiled and the medallists were determined from the combined list. Jacobs found herself sharing the gold medal, in a PB 27.68 in the 50m freestyle, even though she didn’t swim in the same race as her opponent. 

“I knew I had won a gold straight after my race because I saw the previous heat and saw the time. But I don’t think I could have gone faster if we had been in the same race, I gave everything.” This was her ninth race of the three days and the Grade 11 learner from DSG in Grahamstown enjoyed every moment. “I love competition and I love racing. I’ve been swimming forever, but since the age of 11 it’s been on a competitive level.”

Potgieter, who recently completed his Matric at Rondebosch Boys in Cape Town – “I’m a proud Bosch boy!” – was next off the gold medal conveyor belt when he won the 50m backstroke in 27.42. “My body is a bit sore as it’s been a hectic schedule and I’ve swum nine races. But, I came here hopeful of winning gold and was inspired. This is the first time I’ve represented Team SA and I am looking forward to doing so many more times.” 

Coached by Rhys Hugo at Vineyard Swimming Club, Potgieter is looking to further his studies and swim career in the USA in 2023.

Another who is looking to compete amongst the best on the collegiate scene is Megan Stewart, but the Grade 10 pupil still has a couple of years left in South Africa to continue the good work she has started. The Hillcrest swimmer only picked up the sport four years ago at the age of 12, and did so because her father was training for Ironman and she wanted to also join him in the water. “I enjoyed it so much and haven’t looked back.”

Stewart won the 200m IM in 2:27.46 and it was on the breaststroke leg where she put the hammer down. “Breaststroke is my favourite stroke and I competed in the 50, 100m and 200m here but the IM is my favourite event. Getting PBs, which I did in all three breaststroke races, inspires me to work harder and get even better. I have to thank my coach Angela van Heerden who has helped me so much. Ultimately I’d like to swim competitively in the US and take part in the Olympics one day.”

Such was the talent on show in the hastily-built pool here in Lilongwe that there are sure to be teenagers from these Games who won medals for Team SA and will go on to represent the country at Worlds, Commonwealth Games and Olympics’ in years to come. Once again, the swimmers did their part. Now it’s over to you, track and field, for their competition which starts on Thursday.

Photos: ROGER SEDRES