Tatjana Smith and Duné Coetzee Book Beijing Tickets at SA Short Course Champs
Tatjana Smith picked up where she left off, claiming another national title and setting two personal bests on her return to competitive swimming on day one of the SA Short Course Championships at the GC Jolliffe Swimming Pool in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
The Olympic champion announced her return with an impressive opening swim in the 50m breaststroke, her new specialist event, winning her morning heat in 29.90 seconds and then going even faster in the evening to take the title in 29.50 seconds.
Both times were under the required qualifying mark for the World Short Course Championships in Beijing, China from 1 to 6 December, an event that will herald her return to international competition.
Smith was thrilled with her first day back.
“I think this morning I was very surprised. It’s the first race, a new event; there are a lot of things going on in your mind, and it’s not a space where you feel comfortable, like I used to in my 200m.
“So I was very surprised with that time, especially because I didn’t feel like I executed it that well… But I didn’t do so bad. Not bad at all. Two PBs in one day, so, very happy.”
SA Short Course Championships 50m Breaststroke Champion, Tatjana Smith
Also securing her place on the team for Beijing was Duné Coetzee, swimming in her home pool after a recent move to train in Pietermaritzburg.
Coetzee achieved the qualifying time in the heats of the 400m freestyle, finishing in 4:05.54. She went slightly slower in the final but still took the title in 4:06.29.
Kaylene Corbett Claims Silver as the Swimmers Sign Off in Style
Kaylene Corbett went one better than Birmingham with 200m breaststroke silver, and the women’s medley…
Lara van Niekerk Gold Crowns a Five-Medal Night at Tollcross
Lara van Niekerk defended her 50m breaststroke title for Team SA’s first women’s gold of…
Erin Gallagher Grabs Bronze by a Hundredth for Her Third Glasgow Medal
Erin Gallagher’s fighting 100m butterfly bronze made it three medals in her farewell Games, and…
Aimee Canny Claims Silver as Olivia Nel Breaks National Record for Bronze
From Aimee Canny’s 100m breaststroke silver and Olivia Nel’s national record bronze at Tollcross to…
Team South Africa Netballers Power Past Malawi in Glasgow 2026 Pool A Opener
Team South Africa’s netballers pulled clear of Malawi 65-44 in their Pool A opener with…
South Africa’s Women Open Their Glasgow 2026 Medal Account with Relay Bronze
South Africa’s women are on the board at Glasgow 2026 as Aimee Canny, Rebecca Meder,…
“I just decided this morning that I really want to go for it because I like to get it done and out of the way, and now I can just have some fun,” Coetzee said afterwards.
“I must say I was stressed this morning, because it’s kind of a lot of pressure to put on yourself for your opening race, and it’s also my first tapered race on my new programme. So, I definitely was feeling some nerves.”
SA Short Course Championships 400m Freestyle Champion, Duné Coetzee
Several other women achieved B qualifying times for the World Short Course Championships, keeping them in contention for selection. Mila van der Linde won the 100m backstroke title in 59.35, while Abigail Kotze 59.11 and Anje van As 59.21 both dipped under the B qualifier in the 100m butterfly.
There were also two B qualifiers in the 200m individual medley, with Georgia Nel taking the title in 2:13.10 and Sofia French second in 2:13.71.
Seven gsport Family Voices: What My Heritage Means to Me
As we mark Heritage Day in 2026, From a Sotho grandmother’s lessons to a Swellendam…
Jenny van Dyk Backs Rotated Spar Proteas Against Uganda for Africa Cup Final
The Spar Proteas finished Pool 1 four from four with wins over Botswana and Namibia,…
Four Debutants Named in Indoor Hockey Squad for Namibia Test Series 2026
SA Hockey team announcement graphic on a black background with green and gold chevrons. The…
South Africa Take Control of Pool 1 With Victory Over Zimbabwe
Refiloe Nketsa marked her 50th cap as the Spar Proteas beat Zimbabwe 58-41 to make…
Nthabiseng Nini and Ayanda Hlubi Seal 5-0 Whitewash Over Zimbabwe
Player of the Match Nthabiseng Nini took three for 19 and Ayanda Hlubi took a…
Spar Proteas Send Statement in Nairobi With 90-22 Win Over Tanzania
First senior caps for Luca Keun and Tinita van Dyk crowned a 90-22 win over…
Swimming action resumes at the GC Jolliffe Swimming Pool on Friday, 25 September and continues until Sunday, 27 September.
Original Copy: Karien Jonckheere for Swimming South Africa, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Olympic champion Tatjana Smith marked her return to competitive swimming by winning the 50m breaststroke national title in 29.50 seconds, a personal best, and qualifying for the World Short Course Championships in Beijing, China, on the opening day of the SA Short Course Championships at the GC Jolliffe Swimming Pool in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 24 September 2026. Photo: Supplied
Crédito: Link de origem