Parkin Closes South African Short Course Championships in Style

PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa, September 12. ON the final day of the South African Short Course Championships, familiar names stood atop the medal podium, including Terence Parkin. The silver medalist in the 200 breaststroke at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Parkin won the 200 distance in 2:10.70, adding to the victories he already secured in the 50 and 100 races.

George duRand turned in the finest swim of the final day, as he captured top honors in the 100 backstroke with an effort of 53.20. The swim was good for an African record and supplied duRand with a winning margin of 1.69 seconds over Alain Tardin. Meanwhile, Karl Thaning completed the sprint-freestyle sweep by touching the wall first in the 100 free (50.01).

Other male victories were collected by Troyden Prinsloo in the 1,500 freestyle (15:08.55), David van der Bijl in the 200 butterfly (2:00.85) and Great Britain’s Robin Francis in the 200 individual medley (1:59.32). duRand was second in the 200 I.M., covering the distance in 1:59.87.

On the women’s side, Mandy Loots closed the four-day event with a bang, along with Melissa Corfe. Both women earned a pair of victories with Loots besting the field in the 100 fly (59.97) and 200 I.M. (2:15.66). Corfe was the top finisher in the 200 freestyle (2:00.43) and added a first-place performance in the 200 backstroke (2:12.64). Suzaan van Biljon prevailed in the 100 breast (1:09.17).

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