Schoeman Looking Sharper as World Champs Creep Closer

SANTA CLARA, Calif., USA, June 26. WHAT’S with Roland Schoeman? That was a question that surfaced last week, when the South African star turned in a so-so showing at the TYR Meet of Champions, hosted by the Mission Viejo Nadadores. A week later, we have an answer: Nothing is wrong. Schoeman appears to be rounding into form.

Although he did not win a race on Saturday at the Santa Clara Invitational, Schoeman registered a pair of times that showed a marked improvement from last week. In finishing second in the 50 freestyle, Schoeman clocked 22.74. That performance was better than the 22.90 he achieved at Mission Viejo. For good measure, Schoeman took third in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.93.

Schoeman is slated to swim the 100 freestyle at Santa Clara on Sunday, a race that will provide a clearer picture as to his preparation for the World Championships, only a month away. Schoeman has the potential to be one of the stars of the competition in Montreal, thanks to talent that could lead to victory in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.

At last summer’s Olympic Games in Athens, Schoeman was the silver medalist in the 100 freestyle and claimed bronze in the 50 free. His biggest achievement, however, was carrying South Africa to gold and a world record in the 400 freestyle relay.

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