Rebecca Meder secured two podium finishes and set an African record 2025, earning bronze in her premier discipline, the 200m breaststroke, after clocking 2:18.14 at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, the USA, from 10 to 12 October 2025.
The 23-year-old South African followed behind Olympic champion Kate Douglass (2:13.97) and Germany’s Anna Elendt (2:17.80), and her time was just 0.12 of a second off the national and continental short course record, set by four-time Olympic medallist Tatjana Smith in 2020.
Meder returned to the pool to secure another bronze in the 200m individual medley, breaking her own South African and African record with a time of 2:05.56. The race was won by American Alex Walsh in 2:04.76, with Britain’s Abbie Wood taking silver in 2:05.14. Meder also secured fifth-place finishes in both the 100m breaststroke (1:04.41) and the 100m individual medley (58.26).
While pleased with her performances, the New Zealand-based swimmer said afterwards she was still hoping for more.
“I’m happy with the times that I posted. Obviously, I always want more, and I want to be better, and I want to be faster, so I’m chasing down those African records, especially in the 200 breaststroke and the 100 breaststroke, because I’m very close.”
World Aquatics Swimming World Cup Double Bronze Medalist, Rebecca Meder
“You supposedly need to get faster each leg as you go along, and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to race all these girls. Last year, I was only able to do the first leg and this year I’m able to do all three, so I’m really excited to see how I progress through the series, and just learn from all the racing and competing against the world’s best.”
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The other South African in action was the US-based Marizel van Jaarsveld. She placed 15th overall in the women’s 50m breaststroke (31.59), and 22nd in both the 100m breaststroke (1:08.80) and 200m breaststroke (2:36.20), while finishing 18th in the 200m individual medley (2:19.06).
The second stop of the 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup takes place from 17-19 October 2025 in Westmont, Illinois. Meder will be aiming for a return to the podium in later this week.
Main Photo Caption: Rebecca Meder secured two podium finishes and set an African record 2025, earning bronze in her premier discipline, the 200m breaststroke, after clocking 2:18.14 at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Carmel, Indiana, the USA, from 10 to 12 October 2025. Photo: World Aquatics
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