Canny dominates SA Swimming Championships with fourth Commonwealth qualifier

Aimee Canny wrapped up her SA Swimming Championships campaign on a high note, securing a fourth Commonwealth Games qualifying time on Thursday night in Gqeberha. The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the standout performers of the national event, claiming four individual titles and meeting the qualifying standards in each.

In a thrilling 200m breaststroke final, Canny added another title to her collection by outgunning favourite Kaylene Corbett in the final 15 metres. Canny touched the wall in 2:23.61, narrowly ahead of Corbett, who finished in 2:23.72. Corbett, a bronze medalist in this event at last year’s World Aquatics Championships, joined Canny in dipping under the required time for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Glasgow in July and August. Defending champion Rebecca Meder placed third in 2:27.36.

Though previously known primarily as a freestyle specialist, Canny expressed quiet confidence in her ability to complete a breaststroke double.

"I definitely didn't think I couldn't do it, but I hadn't really thought much about how much I'd improve at this meet," Canny said. "Training's been going really well, so I'm super happy that it's kind of paying off in the pool."

Reflecting on the competitive finish against Corbett, Canny added that she gave everything she had after the final wall. While the championships continue through Saturday, Canny is set to return to her training base in the United States on Friday.

READ: Canny, Coetzé, and Van Renen Secure Commonwealth Games qualification in Gqeberha

Corbett, who led for the majority of the race, explained that she used the final as an opportunity to test a new race strategy.

"I'm trying to start a new tactic, seeing how fast I can go out, trying to set out the pace that I need to go," Corbett said. Despite being "out-touched" at the finish, she praised the camaraderie among the competitors, stating it was rewarding to swim in an environment where the athletes empower one another.

Pieter Coetzé was the only other swimmer to achieve a Commonwealth Games qualifier on Thursday. The 21-year-old added the 100m freestyle title to his backstroke sweep, winning in 48.18 seconds despite a shaky start. Coetzé noted that he hoped to be even faster at the turn to match the pace of international leaders.

In the women’s 100m freestyle, national record holder Erin Gallagher claimed victory in 55.12 seconds. She narrowly edged out Olivia Nel, who finished just five-hundredths of a second behind at 55.17. Gallagher described the final stretch as a blind sprint, noting she held her breath for the final ten metres to secure the win.

The evening saw several other athletes reaching the top of the podium:

Shaun Thomas earned his first senior national title, winning the 200m breaststroke in 2:15.00.

Karl Albertyn secured an individual medley double, taking the 400m event in 4:24.83.

Catherine van Rensburg claimed the women’s 400m individual medley title in 4:56.26.

A major highlight of the night came from Minke Janse van Rensburg, who broke her own world record for swimmers with Down syndrome in the 50m butterfly. Her new time of 36.86 seconds shaved nearly half a second off her previous mark of 37.25, sparking widespread celebration at the Gqeberha pool.