South African Short Course: Lize-Mari Retief Sets African Standard in 50 Butterfly

PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa, September 29. LIZE-Mari Retief lit the pool on fire at the South African Short Course Championships during the opening morning of preliminary and semifinal action. Retief eclipsed the previous African record (26.65) of Chanelle van Wyk set last year on Sept. 28.

Retief blasted off the blocks during prelims with a top-time of 26.56, before coming back during semis to clock a 26.61. Retief's African record of 26.56 moved her to 15th in the world this year behind France's Diane Bui Duyet (26.49) and ahead of The Netherlands' Chantal Groot (26.62).

"In short course there is not a lot of swimming so one as to focus on getting a good start and making a good turn," Retief said to Swimming South Africa. "I never went out there with the aim of setting an African record, but knew that I would have to put in a solid performance because there is so much up and coming young talent, that one never knows where the challenge is going to come from."

Complete daily coverage of the meet will be available each evening on SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.

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