Chad le Clos Claws Back After Midweek Upset

Chad le Clos Doha 2014 50 Fly Win
Photo Courtesy: FINA Doha 2014

By Evan Dulaney

Already a familiar figure in the South African swimming scene, Olympian Chad le Clos has since picked up steam after his 200 free defeat at the hands of Myles Brown at South African Nationals. Last night, le Clos finished first in the 200-meter fly and topped the semifinal heat in the 200-meter IM.

Today, le Clos cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in the 200 IM in 1:58.97. That swim puts him 12th in the world rankings. Michael Meyer finished second in 2:02.33, while Jarryd Baxter wound up third in 2:05.39.

In the men’s 100-meter fly semifinal, le Clos paced himself to a 53.22 semifinals win. Le Clos has strategized his prelim and semifinal swims well throughout the meet, and this swim sets him up nicely for finals. Nico Meyer raced a second-seeded 53.85, while 2008 Olympian George Du Rand heads into finals third with a 54.01.

Myles Brown has been making big waves throughout the week. His record breaking 400-meter free and upset of le Clos in the 200-meter free stole the show. He followed that up by besting a six-year old record in the 800-meter free last night. Brown is quickly becoming a recognizable force in South African swimming.

Brown squared off against Clayton Jimmie in the men’s 100-meter free final. After an exciting semifinals race, Brown (49.95) topped Jimmie (50.45) at finals in another close competition. Caydon Muller wound up third in 50.66.

Mariella Venter, 15, zipped to a victory in the women’s 50-meter back finals in 29.08 Jessica Ashley-Cooper earned second in 29.38, while Rita Naude finished third in 30.07.

South African swimming veteran Gerhard Zandberg held on to place first in the men’s 50-meter back final in 25.39. Ricky Ellis (25.86) dueled Michael Andrew (26.04) for second place.

Rene Warnes continued her dominance in the 200-meter fly finals winning in 2:14.49. Tarryn Els swam a 2:17.76 to place second, and Carmen Le Roux finished third in 2:19.27.

Michelle Weber (8:53.35) was able to outlast second-place finisher Caitlin Kat (8:53.88) in the women’s 800-meter free final. The two battled back and forth for much of the race until Weber’s late push in the last 100 meters captured the lead from Kat. Charlise Oberholzer finished third in 8:58.14.

After a relaxed prelims swim, Cameron van der Burgh seized the top seed heading into finals in the men’s 200-meter breast semifinals in 2:11.37. Van der Burgh’s swim places him 23rd in the world rankings. Ayrton Sweeney swam a second-seeded 2:12.62 and Jarred Crous is positioned third after his 2:18..27

In the women’s 200-meter breast semi-finals, Tatjana Schoenmaker claimed the top spot in 2:30.42. Kelly Gunnell (2:31.49) touched out Franko Jonker (2:31.82) to earn the second seed.

Martin Binedell zoomed to the top seed in the men’s 200-meter back semifinals. Ricky Ellis came in second in 2:04.66 and Neil de Villiers ended up third in 2:04.72.

Erin Gallagher took advantage of Karin Prinsloo’s scratch in the women’s 100-meter free semi-finals to grab the top seed in 56.94. Marlies Ross trailed closely behind to finish in a second-seeded 57.45. Jessica Ashley-Cooper is the third seed after her 57.85.

Nathania Van Niekerk (2:12.95) upset Prinsloo (2:13.12) to win the women’s 200-meter back final. Van Niekerk’s time now ranks 50th in the world. Zanré Oberholzer ended up third in 2:17.90

Vanessa Mohr popped off a 27.10 in the women’s 50-meter fly semis. She missed cracking the top 50 in world rankings by only seven hundredths of a second. Bailey Desmarais earned the second seed in 28.54. Rita Naude followed Desmarais to nab the third seed in 28.2.

Roland Schoeman, 34, gutted out a 22.36 to earn the top spot in the men’s 50-meter free semi-finals. Douglas Erasmus is now the second seed after his 22.80, and Shaun Harris swam a third-seeded 22.98. Schoeman, Erasmus, and Harris were the only three swimmers under the 23-second mark in semi-finals.

Results on Meet Mobile.

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