Jessica Thompson kicked off the Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships in Pietermaritzburg with two titles on Thursday, collecting double gold on Thursday, 25 September 2025.
Eighteen-year-old Thompson claimed a comfortable victory in the 100m freestyle in 54.29 seconds, before also coming in first for gold in the 50m butterfly in 25.66 seconds.
She admitted afterwards, though, that she was hoping she would break the national short course record of 25.54 in the butterfly, a mark which has been held by Tayla Lovemore for the last seven years.
“I didn’t want to say anything, but that is kind of what I was going for. The record has been standing since 2018,” she said afterwards.
“But to walk away with two PBs, I’m really happy with that. I didn’t expect that, especially considering the block of training I’ve had. So I’m really happy with how I performed tonight.”
SA National Short Course Champs Double Gold Medalist, Jessica Thompson
Lara van Niekerk was equally pleased with her opening day’s performances after claiming the 100m breaststroke title in 1 minute 05.98 seconds. She followed that up with second place in the 100m individual medley, an event she swam just for fun, in 1:02.78.
Just a week ago, the double Commonwealth Games champion was struggling with a knee niggle, and was pleased just to be in action at this event.
“My knee started acting up a week ago, to the point where I couldn’t kick breaststroke in training, so I’m just really grateful to be here,” she said afterwards, saying before the injury she was expecting great things at these championships.
“It kind of took the expectations away… Having the knee thing last week I think took some pressure off me and I’m just happy I could do that time.”
SA National Short Course Champs 100m Breaststroke Gold Medalist, Lara van Niekerk
The champs also boasted a first-time national title for the 200m backstroke winner, when Grace Morris claiming the women’s title in a new personal best of 2:09.56.
While her main focus is on the 50m freestyle, Caitlin de Lange raced to victory in the 100m individual medley in a personal best time of 1:00.69.
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“It was a lot better than this morning. This morning I messed up a few of the turns, from the back to breast especially, so I just wanted to focus on the turns and I feel like it was better, but it’s definitely something I can work on in training to get under 1 minute,” she said.
Bombela Concession Company SA National (25m) Championships action continues in Pietermaritzburg on Friday and runs until Sunday.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Jessica Thompson kicked off the Bombela Concession Company SA National Short Course Champs with two titles, collecting gold in the 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly at Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 25 September 2025. File Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Lara van Niekerk’s opening day performance saw her claim the 100m breaststroke title, and silver in the 100m IM. File Photo: Supplied
