Erin Gallagher Sets New South African Record in the 100 Butterfly
Erin Gallagher made a historic splash at the SA National Championships by lowering her own South African record in the women’s 100 butterfly event. The electrifying night session on the fifth day of the championships was ignited by Gallagher’s incredible performance. Clocking in at 57.32 seconds, she shaved off a remarkable 0.27 seconds from her previous national and African record set at the 2024 World Championships, both of which are Olympic A cuts.
Gallagher, already having broken a national record in the 50 butterfly earlier in the week, expressed her elation after the race. Reflecting on her performance, she remarked, “When I finished the race I thought I’d be more tired but now I feel like I need to go again so that’s a good sign. I think if this race was earlier in the gala I could have maybe done a little bit more, but this is where I’m at now and there are lessons to be learnt and rather swim slower and faster in Paris.” Her dedication and determination were evident in her record-breaking swim.
Matt Sates and Chad Le Clos Share Victory in the Men’s 100 Butterfly
The men’s 100 butterfly event saw an exhilarating tie between two swimming giants, Matt Sates and Chad le Clos. Celebrating his 32nd birthday, Le Clos joined Sates at the top of the podium with an impressive performance. Both athletes clocked in at 52.07 seconds, showcasing their immense talent and skill in the pool. Having secured Olympic qualifications through their performances at the last two World Championships, the duo displayed a fierce competitive spirit in their race.
Le Clos, acknowledging Sates’ performance, stated, “All credit to Matt. It was a nice one for the fans and a good way to end my birthday but there’s a lot of work to do. We’re a bit far off the pace at the moment but looking forward to the Olympics.” Despite the intense competition, the camaraderie and respect between the two swimmers were evident. The bronze medalist in the event, Jarden Eaton, also showcased a commendable performance with a time of 53.19 seconds, highlighting the depth of talent in South African swimming.
