CANA World Short Course 2022 Wrap Up

CANA World Short Course Wrap Up

The World Short Course Championships, recently concluded in Melbourne Australia, included several participants representing Africa, who dished up some fantastic performances in the pool, with results ranging from personal bests, national and continental records. South Africa, who eventually ended 5th on the medals table with 5 medals [3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze], was the only African nation to bag some medals at Championships.

Herewith a summary of events and results:

Day 1:

Relative to African participants, day 1 comprised of the 400m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 200m Individual Medley and the 4x100m Freestyle Relay.

In the first event of the day, Womens 400m Freestyle, newcomer and debutant Stephanie Houtman won her heat in a time 4:13.16 but was unfortunately not enough to secure a place in the semis.

The Womens 100m backstroke had 6 African participants with Milla Drakopoulos (SA) swimming a time of 1:01.52, Donata Katai (ZIM) 1:01.85, Anishta Teeluck (MAR) 1:03.44, Idealy Tendrinavalona (MAD) 1:08.30, Naya Hughes (BOT) 1:09.68 and Raya Young (ESW) 1:18.68.

In the Mens 100m Backstroke, rising star Pieter Coetze (SA) clocked a time of 50.26 to earn a spot in the semi’s, with some impressive performances from Algeria’s Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) 55.54 and Burundian Carel Irakoze (BUR) swimming a time of 1:02.86.

In the ladies 50m Butterfly, Uganda’s Tara Naluwoza (UGA) was the fastest African in a time of 27.71, Emily Visagie (SA) 28.39, Nubia Adjei (GHA) 29.11, Cassandre Zenon (CAM) 29.32, Jessica Makwenda (MAL) 35.18 and Marie Amenou (TOG) 43.54.

In the Mens 50m Butterfly, “veteran” sensation Chad le Clos (SA) set the pace with a 22.31, and fellow qualifier and Egyptian star Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 22.50. Other African swimmers results comprise of Abelrahman Sameh (EGY) 23.11, Clayton Jimmie (SA) 23.41, Jesse SSengonzi (UGA) 23.79, Abeiku Jackson (GHA) 23.87, Felipe Gomes (MAL) 25.90, Alassane Lancina (Niger) 26.63, Troy Pina (CV) 26.90, Simanga Dlamini (ESW) 28.70, Pap D Jonga (GAM) 29.20, Ezuldeen Qatat (LBA) 29.48 and rounding it up Magnim Daou (TOG) in a time of 34.76.

Rebecca Meder of South Africa was the only African participant in the Womens 200m IM, narrowly missing out on a top 8 spot, as she finished 10th in a time of 2:07.47. The Mens 200m IM had 2 African participants with rising SA sensation Matthew Sates qualifying for the semi’s in a time of 1:52.52 and Zimbabwe’s Liam O’Hara touching the wall in 2:04.90.

South Africa (Milla Drakopoulos, Caitlin de Lange, Emily Visage & Rebecca Meder) set a new African record in the Womens 4x100m Freestyle Relay in a time of 3:41.57.

In the Mens 50m Butterfly semi’s, le Clos (SA) swam another fast race to earn a spot in the finals with a time of 22.09 and Youssef Ramadan clocking 22.32 but was unable to stake a claim in the finals.

Mathew Sates grabbed the continents 1st gold medal in the 200IM, in a time of 1:50.15, setting another African Record in the process.

Rounding out day 1 was South Africa’s Pieter Coetze, who qualified for the semis in the 100m Backstroke in a new African Record time of 49.85.

Day 2:

Stephanie Houtman started day 2 the same as day 1 by taking the win in her heat in the Womens 800m in a time of 8.39.15.

South Africa’s Caitlin de Lange was the fastest African in the Womens 100m Freestyle heats, setting a time of 54.47. This time was followed by Amel Melih (ALG) 55.58, Oumy Diop (SEN) 58.47, Nomvula Mjimba (ZIM) 59.81, Lubaina Ali (KEN) 1:00.63, Sophia Latiff (TAN) 1:00.97 and Ammara Pinto (MAL) 1:07.47

In the Mens 100m Freestyle, Youssef Ramadan (EGY) swam a scintillating race, in a time of 46.52, to qualify for the semis. Other African performance in this event comprise of Clayton Jimmie (SA) 48.09, Xander Skinner (NAM) 48.45, James Freeman (BOT) 51.08, Colins Saliboko (TAN) 51.50, Marc Dansou (BEN) 53.46, Clinton Opute (NGR) 53.66 and Cedric Niyibizi (RWA) 55.87.

Commonwealth Champion, Lara van Niekerk, qualified for the semis of the Womens 100m Breaststroke, by finishing second in her heat in a time of 1:03.93. Jayla Pina (CV) 1:12.72, Mariam Toure (GUI) 1:33.89, Batourou Toure (MAL) 1:49.99 and 1:58.58 (NIG) were the other African swimmers in this event.

In the Mens 100m Breastroke, Egyptian “veteran” Youssef Elkamash was the fastest African in a time of 59.61 followed by Ronan Wantenaar (NAM) 1:00.35, Kian Keylock (SA) 1:00.60, Adrian Robinson (BOT) 1:00.90, Liam O’Hara (ZIM) 1:01.31, Jonathan Raharvel (MAD) 1:01.84, Sebastien Kouma (MAL) 1:04.39 and Melvin Irakoze (BUR) 1:10.11.

Egyptian Youssef Ramadan narrowly missed out on a spot in the 100m Freestyle when he clinched 10th place, in a time of 46.57.

Pieter Coetze (SA) beat his African Record again in the finals of the 100m Backstroke, setting a time of 49.60, going .25 faster than the time he set in the heat. Le Clos swam a time of 22.11 in the finals of the 50m Butterfly to earn a hard-fought 5th.

Day 3:

Milla Drakopoulos (SA), in a time of 28.08, was the fastest African in the 50m Backstroke. She was followed by Donata Katai (ZIM) 28.83, Nubia Adjei (GHA) 29.96, Idealy Tendrinavalona (MAD) 32.19, Naya Hughes (BOT) 32.20 and Raya Young (ESW) 35.86.

Pieter Coetze (SA) and Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) were the only African participants in the Mens 50m backstroke, with the former setting a time of 25.71 and the latter a semis qualifying time of 23.01.

Dakota Tucker, the only African participant in the 200m Butterfly, set a time of 2:11.34 in her heat.

In what is known as his signature event, le Clos won heat 4 of the 200m Butterfly to qualify 2nd fastest for the semis, in a time of 1:49.98.

Rebecca Meder (SA), in her signature event, broke the African record in a time of 59.38 to progress to the semis of the 100IM. Jayla Pina (CV) swam a satisfying 1:05.18 in her heat.

Africa had 4 participants in the 100m IM with Simon Haddon (SA) setting a time of 54.79. This was followed by Felipe Gomes (MAL) 58.44, Abdulhai Ashour (LBA) 1:03.95 and Troy Pina (CV) 1:04.65.

Matt Sates (SA) and Ivan Heart (KEN) participated in the 400m Freestyle, setting times of 3:41.05 and 4:.08.64 respectively. Pieter Coetze (SA) set the 4 fastest time of 22.86 to qualify for the finals of the 50m Backstroke.

In the final of the 200m Butterfly, le Clos (SA) won in a personal best and African record time of 1:48.27. The South African was filled with tears stating that he had been through a tough time, claiming “the King is back!”

Lara van Niekerk (SA) finished in a respectable 5th place in a very fast and competitive 100m Breaststroke.

Rounding off day 3, South Africa’s Rebecca Meder broke the African Record in the 100IM, which she set in the heats, in a time of 58.98, booking a place in the finals.

Day 4:

Meder started the African challenge on day 4, swimming a competitive time of 2:23.64 in the Womens 200m Breaststroke. Liam Davis (ZIM) and Kian Keylock (SA) participated in the Mens 200m Breaststroke and swam times of 2:13.99 and 2:11.20 respectively.

In the Womens 50m Freestyle, South Africa’s Caitlin de Lange set the fastest time by an African in 24.67. This time was followed by Algeria’s Amel Melih swimming a time of 25.08, Kirabo Namutebi (UGA) setting a new national record for Uganda at 26.15, Sophia Latiff (TAN) 27.63, Cassandra Zenon (CAM) 27.87, Ammara Pinto (MAL) 29.71, Marie Amenou (TOG) 34.70 and Mary Yongai (SLE) 41.41.

Egytian stalwart Ali Khalafalla was the fastest African in the Mens 50m Freestyle, in a time of 21.36. Pieter Coetze (SA) swam a time of 21.68, closely followed by Xander Skinner’s (NAM) 21.85. Steven Aimable (SEN) set a competitive 22.42, followed by Bradley Vincent (MRI) 22.76, Alassane Lancina (NIG) 23.64, Arven Muravvej 24.08, Clinton Opute (NGR) 24.47, Hilal Hilal (TAN) 24.84, Cedric Niyibizi (RWA) 24.95, Yann Douma (CGO) 26.33, Ezuldeen Qatat (LBA) 26.52, Pap Jonga (GAM) 26.73, Cameron Jele (ESW) 28.33, Sheku Bangura (SLE) 29.38 and Magnim Daou (TOG) 30.39.

Stephanie Houtman (SA), the only African participant in the Womens 1500m, finished in a time of 16:35.55.

Caitlin de Lange (SA), the only African in the Womens 50m Freestyle semifinal, finished in a time of 24.53. Rebecca Meder (SA) broke her own African record when she finished the 100m IM in a time of 58.46.  Pieter Coetze (SA) also broke his own African record when he finished 6th in the 50m backstroke final in a time of 22.84.

Day 5:

On day 5, Dakota Tucker (SA) started off proceedings for Africa and finished the Womens 400m IM in a time of 4:40.01.

Matthew Sates (SA) qualified for the semi’s in the Mens 400 IM in a time 4:02.18.

In the Womens 100m butterfly Rebecca Meder (SA) finished in a time of 58:04, followed by Oumy Diop (SEN) 1:01.54, Imara Thorpe (KEN)1:01.84 and Tara Naluwoza UGA) in a time of 1:05.28.

In the Mens 100m Butterfly, Yossef Ramadan (EGY) and Chad le Clos (SA) qualified for the semis in times of 49.64 and 49.88 respectively. Performances in this event by other Africans comprised of Jesse Ssengonzi (UGA) 51.90, Abeiku Jackson (GHA) 52.36, Collins Saliboko (TAN) 55.85, Steven Aimable (SEN) 53.08, Abdulhai Ashour (LBA) 1:00.26, Simanga Dlamini (ESW) 1:03.90 and Elhadj Diallo (GUI) in a time of 1:05.68.

African Breaststroke sprint queen Lara van Niekerk (SA) broke her own African Record when she set a time of 29.45 in the heats. Kirabo Namutebi (UGA) set a new national record in a time of 32.47, Ria Save (TAN) swam a time of 38.22, Jessica Makwenda (MAL) 38.99, Mariama Toure (GUI) 40.92, Mary Yongai (SLE) 46.98, Salima Youssoufou (NIG) 48.33 and Batourou Toure (MLI) 48.96.

Egyptian veteran Youssef Elkamash was the fastest African in the Mens 50m Breaststroke with a time of 27.28. Results from other African participants comprise of Ronan Wantenaar (NAM), who swam a very competitive 27.45, Simon Haddon (SA) 27.67, Adrian Robinson (BOT) 27.79, Abobakr Abass (SUD) 28.44, Jonathan Raharvel (MAD) 28.55, Sebastien Kouma (MLI) 28.73, Hilal Hilal (TAN) 30.23 and Cameron Jele (ESW) in 34.95.

In the Mens 800m Freestyle, Egyptian Marwan Elkamash won his heat in a time of 7:36.01. Chad le Clos (SA) was the fastest qualifier in the 100m Butterfly in a time of 48.99, and Youssef Ramadan (EGY) also swam a fast time to ensure qualification for the final in a time of 49.79.

Sates (SA) added to his medal tally when he took bronze in the Mens 400 IM in a time of 3:59.21, whilst van Niekerk (SA) qualified for the finals in style, breaking her African Record again, in a time of 29.27.

Day 6:

In the Mens 200m Freestyle Sates (SA) finished in a time of 1:43.22, followed by James Freeman (BOT) 1:51.02.

In the Womens 200m Backstroke Hannah Pearce (SA) was the leading African in a time of 2:08.84, followed by Anishta Teeluck (MRI) who finished in 2:13.71. Pieter Coetze was the fastest African in the Mens 200m Backstroke in a time of 1:51.51, whilst Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) completed the race in a time of 1:59.78

The Womens 4x100m saw the South African sprinters set a new African Record, finishing 6th in a time of 3:59.64.

Le Clos’ performance in the finals of the Mens 100m Butterfly was the highlight of the day, if not the championship, as he powered to gold from start to finish in a time of 48.59. Egyptian Youssef Ramadan swam a competitive time of 49.84, to finish as the 8th fastest swimmer in this event.

Lara van Niekerk (SA) smashed her African Record for the 3rd time in the championship, which must be a record in itself, as she grabbed silver in the 50m Breaststroke.

Lubaina Ali of Kenya capped off Africa’s participation at the championships when she finished the Womens 200m Freestyle in a time of 2:13.16.

Day 1 Results: 

Womens 400m Freestyle Heats

Stephanie Houtman (SA) 4:13.16

Womens 100m backstroke Heats

Milla Drakopoulos (SA) 1:01.52

Donata Katai (ZIM) 1:01.85

Anishta Teeluck (MAR) 1:03.44

Idealy Tendrinavalona (MAD) 1:08.30

Naya Hughes (BOT) 1:09.68

Raya Young (ESW) 1:18.68

Mens 100m Backstroke Heats

Pieter Coetze (SA) 50.26

Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) 55.54

Carel Irakoze (BUR)1:02.86

Womens 50m Butterfly Heats

Tara Naluwoza (UGA)27.71

Emily Visagie (SA) 28.39

Nubia Adjei (GHA) 29.11

Cassandre Zenon (CAM) 29.32

Jessica Makwenda (MAL) 35.18

Marie Amenou (TOG) 43.54

Mens 50m Butterfly Heats

Chad le Clos (SA) 22.31

Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 22.50

Abelrahman Sameh (EGY) 23.11

Clayton Jimmie (SA) 23.41

Jesse SSengonzi (UGA) 23.79

Abeiku Jackson (GHA) 23.87

Felipe Gomes (MAL) 25.90

Alassane Lancina (NIG) 26.63

Troy Pina (CV) 26.90

Simanga Dlamini (ESW) 28.70

Pap D Jonga (GAM) 29.20

Ezuldeen Qatat (LBA) 29.48

Magnim Daou (TOG) 34.76

Womens 200m IM Heats

Rebecca Meder (SA) 2:07.47

Mens 200m IM Heats

Matthew Sates (SA) 1:52.52

Liam O’Hara (ZIM) 2:04.90

Womens 4x100m Freestyle Relay Heats

South Africa (Milla Drakopoulos, Caitlin de Lange, Emily Visage & Rebecca Meder) 3:41.57 AF

Mens 50m Butterfly Semis Heats

Chad le Clos (SA) 22.09

Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 22.32

Mens 200 IM Final

Mathew Sates (SA) 1:50.15 AF

Mens 100m Backstroke Semi

Pieter Coetze 49.85 AF

Day 2 Results:

Womens 800m

Stephanie Houtman 8.39.15

Womens 100m Freestyle

Caitlin de Lange (SA) 54.47

Amel Melih (ALG) 55.58

Oumy Diop (SEN) 58.47

Nomvula Mjimba (ZIM) 59.81

Lubaina Ali (KEN) 1:00.63

Sophia Latiff (TAN) 1:00.97

Ammara Pinto (MAL) 1:07.47

Mens 100m Freestyle

Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 46.52

Clayton Jimmie (SA) 48.09

Xander Skinner (NAM) 48.45

James Freeman (BOT) 51.08

Colins Saliboko (TAN) 51.50

Marc Dansou (BEN) 53.46

Clinton Opute (NGR) 53.66

Cedric Niyibizi (RWA) 55.87

Womens 100m Breaststroke

Lara van Niekerk 1:03.93

Jayla Pina (CV) 1:12.72

Mariam Toure (GUI) 1:33.89

Batourou Toure (MAL) 1:49.99

Salima Youssoufou (NIG)1:58.58

Mens 100m Breaststroke

Youssef Elkamash (EGY) 59.61

Ronan Wantenaar (NAM) 1:00.35

Kian Keylock (SA) 1:00.60

Adrian Robinson (BOT) 1:00.90

Liam O’Hara (ZIM) 1:01.31

Jonathan Raharvel (MAD) 1:01.8

Sebastien Kouma (MAL) 1:04.39

Melvin Irakoze (BUR) 1:10.11

Mens 100m Freestyle

Youssef Ramadan 46.57

Mens 100m Backstroke

Pieter Coetze (SA) 49.60

Mens 50m Butterfly

Chad le Clos (SA) 22.11

Day 3 Results:

Womens 50m Backstroke Heats

Milla Drakopoulos (SA) 28.08

Donata Katai (ZIM) 28.83

Nubia Adjei (GHA) 29.96

Idealy Tendrinavalona (MAD) 32.19

Naya Hughes (BOT) 32.20

Raya Young (ESW) 35.86

Mens 50m backstroke Heats

Pieter Coetze (SA) 25.71

Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) 23.01

Womens 200m Butterfly Heats

Dakota Tucker 2:11.34

Mens 200m Butterfly Heats

Chad le Clos (SA) 1:49.98

Womens 100 IM Heats

Rebecca Meder (SA) 59.38

Jayla Pina (CV) 1:05.18

Mens 100m IM Heats

Simon Haddon (SA) 54.79

Felipe Gomes (MAL) 58.44

Abdulhai Ashour (LBA) 1:03.95

Troy Pina (CV) 1:04.65

Mens 400m Freestyle Heats

Matt Sates (SA) 3:41.05

Ivan Heart (KEN) 4:08.64

Mens 50m Backstroke Semi

Pieter Coetze (SA) 22.86

Mens 200m Butterfly Final

Chad le Clos (SA) of 1:48.27 AF

Womens 100m Breaststroke Final

Lara van Niekerk (SA) 1:04.12

Womens 100m IM Semi

Rebecca Meder 58.98 AF

Day 4 Results:

Womens 200m Breaststroke Heats

Rebecca Meder (SA) 2:23.64

Mens 200m Breaststroke Heats

Liam Davis (ZIM) 2:13.99

Kian Keylock (SA) 2:11.20

Womens 50m Freestyle Heats

Caitlin de Lange (SA) 24.67

Amel Melih (ALG) 25.08

Kirabo Namutebi (UGA) 26.15

Sophia Latiff (TAN) 27.63

Cassandra Zenon (CAM) 27.87

Ammara Pinto (MAL) 29.71

Marie Amenou (TOG) 34.70

Mary Yongai (SLE) 41.41

Mens 50m Freestyle Heats

Ali Khalafalla (EGY) 21.36

Pieter Coetze (SA) 21.68

Xander Skinner’s (NAM) 21.85

Steven Aimable (SEN) 22.42

Bradley Vincent (MRI) 22.76

Alassane Lancina (NIG) 23.64

Arven Muravvej 24.08

Clinton Opute (NGR) 24.47

Hilal Hilal (TAN) 24.84

Cedric Niyibizi (RWA) 24.95

Yann Douma (CGO) 26.33

Ezuldeen Qatat (LBA) 26.52

Pap Jonga (GAM) 26.73

Cameron Jele (ESW) 28.33

Sheku Bangura (SLE) 29.38

Magnim Daou (TOG) 30.39

Womens 1500m Freestyle Heats

Stephanie Houtman (SA) 16:35.55

Womens 50m Freestyle Semi

Caitlin de Lange (SA) 24.53

Womens 100 IM Final

Rebecca Meder (SA) 58.46 AF

Mens 50m Backstroke Final

Pieter Coetze (SA) 22.84 AF

Day 5 Results:

Womens 400m IM Heats

Dakota Tucker (SA) 4:40.01

Mens 400 IM Heats

Matthew Sates (SA) 4:02.18

Womens 100m butterfly Heats

Rebecca Meder (SA) 58:04

Oumy Diop (SEN) 1:01.54

Imara Thorpe (KEN) 1:01.84

Tara Naluwoza UGA) 1:05.28

Mens 100m Butterfly Heats

Yossef Ramadan (EGY) 49.64

Chad le Clos (SA) 49.88

Jesse Ssengonzi (UGA) 51.90

Abeiku Jackson (GHA) 52.36

Collins Saliboko (TAN) 55.85

Steven Aimable (SEN) 53.08

Abdulhai Ashour (LBA) 1:00.26

Simanga Dlamini (ESW) 1:03.90

Elhadj Diallo (GUI) 1:05.68

Womens 50m Breaststroke Heats

Lara van Niekerk (SA) 29.45 AF

Kirabo Namutebi (UGA) 32.47

Ria Save (TAN) 38.22

Jessica Makwenda (MAL) 38.99

Mariama Toure (GUI) 40.92

Mary Yongai (SLE) 46.98

Salima Youssoufou (NIG) 48.33

Batourou Toure (MLI) 48.96

Mens 50m Breaststroke Heats

Youssef Elkamash (EGY) 27.28

Ronan Wantenaar (NAM) 27.45

Simon Haddon (SA) 27.67

Adrian Robinson (BOT) 27.79

Abobakr Abass (SUD) 28.44

Jonathan Raharvel (MAD) 28.55

Sebastien Kouma (MLI) 28.73

Hilal Hilal (TAN) 30.23

Cameron Jele (ESW) in 34.95

Mens 800m Freestyle Heats

Marwan Elkamash (EGY) 7:36.01

Mens 100m Butterfly Semi

Chad le Clos (SA) 48.99

Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 49.79

Mens 400 IM Final

Matthew Sates (SA) 3:59.21

Womens 50m Breaststroke Semi

Lara van Niekerk (SA) 29.27 AF

Day 6 Results:

Mens 200m Freestyle Heats

Sates (SA) 1:43.22

James Freeman (BOT) 1:51.02

Womens 200m Backstroke

Hannah Pearce (SA)2:08.84

Anishta Teeluck (MRI) 2:13.71

Mens 200m Backstroke Heats

Pieter Coetze (SA) 1:51.51

Abdellah Ardjoune (ALG) 1:59.78

Womens 4x100m Freestyle Heats

South Africa 3:59.64 AF

Mens 100m Butterfly Final

Chad Le Clos (SA) 48.59

Youssef Ramadan (EGY) 49.84

Womens 50m Breaststroke Final

Lara van Niekerk (SA) 29.09 AF

Womens 200m Freestyle Heats

Lubaina Ali (KEN) 2:13.16

Photo credits: World Aquatics

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