Swimming legend Kat Swanepoel scooped the first medal for South Africa AND set a record (the first of its kind for SA) in a single swim at the World Para Swimming Champs!
Manchester, United Kingdom (01 August, 2023) — Competitive pools around the world weren’t ready for the heat that South African female swimmers have brought to this season. After Tatjana Schoenmaker made history in Japan by becoming the first female South African swimmer to earn a world title at the event, Kat Swanepoel made SA proud from Machester with her record-setting silver performance at the World Para Swimming Champs.
The Paralympian earned the first medal for Team South Africa at the event, anointing SA’s presence with a silver win. This was earned after a stellar race in the women’s SB9 50m breaststroke where Swanepoel scored a time of 57.19 seconds.
Beyond adding another medal to her World Para Swimming Champs collection, Swanepoel’s time also set a record; the first of its kind from Team South Africa and an African record.
But, Swanepoel’s rise to podium placements is also a nod to skills outside of the pool.
As an athlete with progressive degenerative multiple sclerosis, Swanepoel’s determination and infectious positivity guide her success as much as her hard work.
She lives by the words of Maya Angelou “but still, like dust, I’ll rise” and every time she competes, she inspires someone in South Africa to bet on themselves, no matter what.
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