Rebecca Meder Sets World Champs Qualifying Mark at SA Swim Champs in Gqeberha
Rebecca Meder and Michaela de Villiers set new national records on Day 2 of the SA National Swimming Championships at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Gqeberha, on Thursday, 10 April, 2025.
Meder was the first woman to achieve a world championships qualifying mark at the national swim champs, gaining entry to the team to Singapore later this year after her work in the Eastern Cape on the second day of action.
Rebecca Meder sped to victory in the 200m medley in a time of 2:10.39, to book a place at the global event later and also set a new national record.
Meder owned the previous record of 2:10.67, which she set at the Olympic Games in Paris last year, and was thrilled to lower the mark even further.
“I will say I’m very surprised with a 2:10.3. We thought at least the 2:11 low, maybe sneak in a 2:10 high, but to break my own SA record and to go a 2:10.3 is mind blowing, so I’m really happy with that.”
New South African 200m Medley Record Holder, Rebecca Meder
Another surprise record came in the women’s 50m backstroke where Michaela de Villiers outgunned Jessica Thompson to the gold in a new national mark of 28.25 seconds.
“I am so happy about it. It’s very exciting, not something I expected so very, very happy,” said an elated De Villiers after claiming her first senior long course national title.
“I don’t really train backstroke so it’s especially surprising because of that, but it feels really good. I think freestyle training actually kind of relates, so I’m very happy about it,” added the Louisiana-based star.
New South African 50m Backstroke Record Holder, Michaela de Villiers
Several more national Para-swimming records also fell on the second night of action, Naseerah du Toit bettering the SA mark she set in the morning heats of the S8 100m butterfly with a speedy 1:47.38 in the final.
Swimming action continues in Gqeberha until Sunday.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Rebecca Meder broke her own 200m IM Paris 2024 South African record and set a World Championships Qualifying Mark in one of the racing highlights on Day 2 of the SA Swim Champs in Gqeberha on Thursday, 10 April, 2025. Photo: Roger Sedres / Swimming SA
Photo 2 Caption: Naseerah du Toit bettered the SA mark she set in the S8 100m butterfly morning heats with a new SA record of 1:47.38 in the final. Photo: Roger Sedres / Swimming SA
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