By GARY LEMKE in Swakopmund
Team SA’s swimmers had more than pride and joy to declare when they touched down at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International on Wednesday night after a hugely successful Region 5 Games campaign. There were 13 different swimmers who won medals, headed by Indiana de Villiers’ haul of 10, as they contributed 49 to the country’s cause at The Dome’s indoor facility in Swakopmund
In a team gathering before the swimmers were to go on their separate ways, boys captain Tumelo Mahan said how proud he was of the group. “Our relays were great and the boys went undefeated. Then there was Georgia (Els) who broke the 200m IM record by 13 seconds, while Matthew (Pretorius) broke the 100m fly record. And Josh and myself broke the 50m freestyle record so all round it was great teamwork.”
Morgan Cope, who announced herself with six medals, which included the full house of 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, agreed. “I think we’ve achieved more than we expected. We looked at the results of Malawi but here we have outd0ne ourselves. We really have had fun as a group and grown and I’m glad that we have all got so close. I’m very proud of being part of this team. We all showed up for one another and hearing our national anthem played 21 times was amazing.”
The 17-year-old De Villiers modestly played down her achievements, with her 10 medals comprising four golds and six silvers. “I’m most happy about the 50m fly gold because I got a personal best there. The butterfly (50 and 100m) and backstrone (50 and 100m) are my main events.
“I really didn’t expect this and every medal is one more than I expected. This is my first international tour and I was looking to lerarn from those more experienced than me and take in all the elements that go with touring. South Africans have such an amazing spirit about them and we bonded so well. It’s such a great quality that we have and I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
TEAM SA SWIMMERS MEDALLISTS
10 Indiana de Villiers (4 gold, 6 silvers)
9 Georgia Els (4 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze)
8 Jessica Carmody (6 gold, 2 silver)
8 Josh Esterhuyzen (4 gold, 4 silver)
7 Matthew Pretorius (6 gold, 1 bronze)
7 Christian Esterhuyzen (3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
6 Morgan Cope (5 gold, 1 silver)
5 Tumelo Mahan (4 gold, 1 silver)
4 Guy Wessels (2 gold, 2 silver)
3 Kaitlyn Horne (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
3 Lance Cromhout (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
1 Maya Mgcina (1 gold)
1 Caytlyn Dube (1 silver)
Photo: ROGER SEDRES
