Team SA scoops 13 medals at Virtus Swimming World Championships in Thailand

JOHANNESBURG – Team South Africa has made a remarkable impact at the Virtus World Championships in Thailand, where they secured an impressive total of 13 medals.

The championship took place from August 24-29, with South Africa sending a talented squad of 11 swimmers to compete.

“All swimmers have done exceptionally well, achieving many personal bests and improving African and South African records,” said national coach Clinton Thomas.

One standout performer, Minke Janse Van Rensburg, shone brightly in Bangkok 2025. She secured South Africa’s first gold medal in the Women’s 200m Freestyle, not only winning but also breaking a world record twice in a single day.

 She first set a new record during the heats with a time of 2:51.20 and then shattered her own mark in the finals, clocking in at a stunning 2:49.81.

In addition to her freestyle success, Janse Van Rensburg made history in the II2 Women’s 50m Butterfly, where she set another world record in the heats with a time of 37.25 seconds.

“Minke Janse van Rensburg has broken five world records in the Down Syndrome category, and we still have tomorrow left where she will compete in her strongest event, the 50m freestyle,” Thomas noted.

Virtus, the International Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment, has been a significant part of the sports landscape, being a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee.

“We have a team of 11 swimmers here at the Virtus World Championships in Thailand. We are currently on day five of the championships and performing exceptionally well,” Thomas commented.

Since its formation in 1986, Virtus (formerly known as INAS) has expanded its reach significantly, growing from 14 members to over 500,000 athletes from more than 90 nations, spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

“This is also the first time in eight years that we have been allowed to participate in this competition due to financial constraints; it’s gratifying to be back this year,” Thomas shared with Eyewitness News.

The 2020 Virtus sports programme included 15 annual events in both summer and winter sports, hosting over 7,000 athletes competing at an international level.

Team SA is set to return home, landing at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, August 31, at 7:40 AM.

TEAM SA AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

SASA II (Intellectually Impaired)
- Elih Lawrence
- Jean-Pierre Nel
- Damon Kennett Elbourne
- Aaron Alois Putz
- Cornelia Jane Fowler
- Mia van der Merwe

Down Syndrome
- Zora Wegerif
- Jennifer Anne Higgins
- Minke Janse van Rensburg
- Savana Naledi Haselau
- Hylton Richard Heggie