South African National Championships: Riaan Schoeman Sets African Record in 400 IM

DURBAN, South Africa, April 19. THE final day of action at the South African National Championships provide a long course African record in the men's 400 IM.

Riaan Schoeman claimed the African record in the men's 400 IM with a swift time of 4:12.07. The swim beat Tunisian Ous Mellouli's 4:13.47 from 2007, and destroyed Schoeman's South African record of 4:14.09 set at the Beijing Olympics. Chad Le Clos finished second in 4:16.55 with Jay-Cee Thompson taking third in 4:18.44.

Karin Prinsloo topped the women's 100 free in 56.09 to hold off Leone Vorster (56.26). Chanelle Van Wyk placed third in 56.91.

After clearing the world record in the men's 50 breast semifinals with a 27.06, Cameron van der Burgh settled for the win with a 27.30. Donaven van der Merwe placed second in 28.36, while William Diering took third in 28.43.

Youngster Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, 15, won the women's 50 breast in 31.77 with Keri Plumstead touching second in 32.50. Tasmynne Roe grabbed third in 32.68.

Roland Schoeman matched his semifinal time of 23.15 to win the men's 50 fly, while Graeme Moore placed second in 23.67. Garth Tune rounded out the top three in 24.09.

In an exciting finish, Mandy Loots touched out Van Wyk, 27.41 to 27.59, in the women's 50 fly. Vanessa Mohr also cleared 28 with a third-place 27.89.

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry won the women's 400 IM in 4:35.25, while Kathryn Meaklim placed second in 4:38.04. Jessica Pengelly wound up third in 4:42.05.

Charl van Zyl touched out George Du Rand, 55.25 to 55.38, for the win in the men's 100 back. Darren Murray placed third in 55.90.

Coventry clinched her second title of the day with a 59.95 in the women's 100 back. Prinsloo finished second in 1:02.53, while Loots earned third in 1:03.04.

Troyden Prinsloo cruised in the men's 1500 free with a time of 15:13.34. Heerden Herman took second in 15:23.21, while Chad Ho walked away with third in 15:31.77.

In multi-disability events, Renette Bloem won the women's 50 breast event in 47.64, while Kevin Paul took the men's 50 breast in 31.16. Shireen Sapiro captured the women's 100 back in 1:10.66, while Craig Groenewald claimed the men's 100 back in 1:11.98.

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