The women’s 200m breaststroke provided much excitement on the third night of competition with both Rebecca Meder and Kaylene Corbett dipping under the World Championships qualification time at the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha, on Friday, 11 April, 2025.
The event has often provided the highlight of the national championships in recent years, with four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith dominating proceedings.
The now-retired Smith would have been looking on with great interest as Rebecca Meder claimed the title in a time of 2:23.61 with Smith’s former training partner, Kaylene Corbett, finishing second in 2:24.70 – also a qualifying time.
Meder, who also claimed 100m breaststroke gold on the opening night of action and is relatively new to the breaststroke events, was pleased to have had two-time Olympic finalist Corbett pushing her all the way.
“I know that Kaylene is such a good competitor. She’s got so much experience in the 200 breast, so I know that at nationals she’ll always perform.”
SA 200m Breaststroke Champion, Rebecca Meder
“I had the confidence knowing I had someone in the race going the same speed. It’s so good for the sport in general,” said Meder. “I’m new to the 200 breaststroke, so I was really happy with that… And good that both of us are in, just to keep that breaststroke legacy going.”
Corbett explained that, despite achieving the qualifying time, she may not compete at this year’s World Championships, choosing to focus on her Honours studies at the University of Pretoria as she rebuilds for the next Olympic Games.
“Just being at the beginning of [that cycle], it’s good for me to be in a place where I’m still qualifying and still doing the times, even though I’m not as rested as I would have liked to have been.”
200m Breaststroke World Championships Qualifier, Kaylene Corbett
As for Meder’s performance, Corbett added: “I’m so proud of her… It’s so nice to know that someone else is going to race with me again.”
“It’s really nice having someone there in the call room. I’ve said that plenty of times with Tats, so I think Tatjana is also watching at home, hopefully proud of the two of us as well because it’s so nice to build on that legacy,” said Corbett.
Erin Gallagher took the women’s 100m freestyle in a time of 54.94 seconds, with her attention now switching to her main focus – the butterfly.
“Obviously it’s not a PB, but I just wanted to come out here and race. I really had no idea where I was with my freestyle. I’m very happy to be done with that race, and I can focus on my main event – we’ll see what’s in the bag for tomorrow.”
SA 100m Freestyle Champion, Erin Gallagher
Earlier in the evening, there was much celebration for Down Syndrome swimmer Minke Janse van Rensburg, who once again broke her own world record in the 50m butterfly, finishing in a time of 36.59 seconds – well under the 38.02-second mark she set in Cape Town earlier this year.
National Championship action continues at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha through to Sunday.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The women’s 200m breaststroke provided much excitement on the third night of competition with Rebecca Meder (pictured) and Kaylene Corbett both dipping under the World Champs qualification time at the SA National Swimming Championships in Gqeberha, on Friday, 11 April, 2025. All Photos: Roger Sedres / Swimming SA
Photo 2 Caption: Corbett explained that, despite her qualifying time, she may not compete at this year’s World Champs, to focus on her Honours studies at the University of Pretoria as she rebuilds for the next Olympic Games.
Photo 3 Caption: Down Syndrome swimmer Minke Janse van Rensburg broke her own 50m butterfly world record again, finishing in a time of 36.59 seconds, well under the mark she set in Cape Town earlier this year.
