KZN Teen Swimmer Matt Sates Secures His World Champs and Commonwealth Tickets
Matt Sates claimed his first World Championships and Commonwealth Game qualification time on day two of the South African Swimming Championships in Gqeberha. The 18-year-old, from Pietermaritzurg, who has been setting the US college circuit alight for the University of Georgia, won the 200m freestyle title in an impressive 1:46.15 to ensure he’s up for […]
Matt Sates claimed his first World Championships and Commonwealth Game qualification time on day two of the South African Swimming Championships in Gqeberha.
The 18-year-old, from Pietermaritzurg, who has been setting the US college circuit alight for the University of Georgia, won the 200m freestyle title in an impressive 1:46.15 to ensure he’s up for selection for the major championships later in the year.
“It was a good one. It’s my first gala long course since Olympics so I’m still getting used to it… but the more racing I do, the faster I’ll get,” he said afterwards.
Sates, who admitted to struggling with a shoulder injury which kept him out of the 400m individual medley, also swum on Thursday, as well as the 200m butterfly.
“I can’t do lots of butterfly. Even the freestyle is a little bit hard so to get the qualifying time, I can’t complain.
“It’s quite sore so I have to push through to get some qualifying times and then do rehab and everything after this meet,” he added.
Swimming at the Newton Park Swimming Pool ends on Monday.
Source: TEAMSA