DURBAN, South Africa, March 13. AT the recent South African Trials for the World Championships, George du Rand established a new national and African continental record in the 200-meter backstroke. Du Rand, coached by Simon Gray, was timed in 1:58.81, which dipped well below his previous standard of 2:00.20. Du Rand ranked 12th in the world last year in the 200 backstroke and he'll contest that discipline, along with the 100 back and 200 fly at the World Champs in Melbourne.
"I'm so happy. It is exactly what I came here to do and that improves my position in the world rankings," he said. "I have worked really hard for the World Championships. I am now in the last phase of my training and I must say it has been going very well. I did not struggle with any injuries so I have been pretty lucky."
