Diering Claims South African Title in 200 Breaststroke

Karien Jonckheere

DURBAN, South Africa, April 22. FOR the first time in 10 years it was a different face that topped the podium after the men's 200 breaststroke at the Telkom South African National Championships in Durban on Friday night. In the absence of nine-time champion and 2000 Olympic silver medallist Terence Parkin (who missed the heats of the race because of dental treatment), one of the country's top up-and-coming swimmers stepped in as a capable replacement. William Diering added the 200 breaststroke gold to the 100 breaststroke title he won earlier in the week, winning in a time of 2:13.54. Matthew Josephson was second in 2:19.21 and Ashley Oliver was third in 2:19.63.

"We have been looking for a breaststroker for the top level specifically with the medley relay in mind so we're very happy with William's performance here," said National Team coach Dirk Lange.

"I was hoping for Terence's record (which he missed by a second) but I'm just happy to have the title," said the 19-year-old Diering.

Just one race before, the former Potch resident's training partner, Suzaan van Biljon had also successfully completed the breaststroke double, winning the women's 200 breaststroke in 2:28.38. One of the top performances of the night came from Melissa Corfe who bagged her third gold of the competition. Corfe swam to her fourth consecutive victory in the 200 freestyle, winning in 2:02.45 with Christy Lategan second in 2:04.22 and Leone Vorster third in 2:04.63. George du Rand, meanwhile, successfully defended his 100 butterfly crown, winning in a time of 53.71.

Mandy Loots managed to do the same in the women's 100 fly which she won in 1:00.30 from Keri Shaw (1:00.73), the rising Pretoria swimmer who got the better of Loots in the 200 butterfly on Wednesday.

"I'm happy with that considering I've been tapering for about two months now," said Loots who has not been well in the build-up to this competition. "I went on antibiotics at the end of the Commonwealth Games but when I got to Shanghai for the World Short Course Championships I could feel I wasn't
right so I came home to sort myself out. I'm feeling a lot better now but I'm not at my sharpest."

Troyden Prinsloo proved again he is in a class of his own at these championships, winning the 800 freestyle title in 7,59.76. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist finished over 17 seconds clear of second-placed Riaan Schoeman (8:17.15) and third placed Shane Fantham (8;19.39). And in the 50 backstroke dash, it was Commonwealth Games relay gold medalist Gerhard Zandberg who came out on top, winning in 26.17. Karin Prinsloo took the women's honors in 30.23.

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