Flash! South African Duo Smoke at World Cup in Berlin: Neethling Smashes 100 IM World Mark, Schoeman Equals Ian Crocker’s 100 Free Global Standard

By Stephen J. Thomas

BERLIN, January 22. THE Springbok duo of Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling continued on their merry way around wintry Europe far from the warmer climate of their South African homeland.

Early in the evening Schoeman clocked 46.25 to equal the world record set by American Ian Crocker at the NCAA’s last March. Schoeman had swum the third fastest time over the four laps in Stockholm just a few days ago of 46.45 so it was no surprise that the Olympic silver medalist in this event Athens stepped up tonight.

Interestingly his older countryman Ryk Neethling (pictured) skipped the 100 free (he had the second best time for the season going into this meet,
46.94) but he had another race event in his sights – the 100 IM. Amazingly Schoeman – the 100 IM world record-holder from Stockholm in 52.51 – missed this final here, finishing ninth in the prelims. Neethling had clocked the second best for the season 52.61 behind Schoeman in the Stockholm final.

Neethling had some real competition in the former world record holder and local hero Thomas Rupprath. The German led at the 50m (his strongest legs are fly and back) but the powerful South African caught him in the breaststroke and powered to the wall in 52.11 – 0.40 seconds under Schoeman’s hardly dusty record! Rupprath touched a well-beaten second in 52.99. Moreover, Neethling's time gave him the lead of the men’s overall World Cup ranking 1071 points.

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