To find a way to be 0.3 seconds faster in the 50m-freestyle next month is the challenge Caitlin de Lange set herself for the South African Championships in Gqeberha.
The stakes are high. If the swimmer succeeds, she will qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. Two week ago, during the African Games in Ghana, she swam in 24.99s in the 50m-freestyle. To qualify, she needs to swim 24.70s.
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De Lange considers it doable. The 50m freestyle is her favourite event but comes with unique challenges.
“You must be fast of the ‘block’ and powerful underwater. You also have to strategise as to when you are going to breathe for the first time. I still sometimes get it wrong. As important to me during the national champs will be to have confidence. If I do, there is a realistic chance of achieving my goal.”
De Lange made it clear that she will not allow herself to be obsessed with swimming a specific time at nationals.
“On the day if it happens, it happens. If I fail, I will have to put my head in for another four years doing the long, hard hours to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.”
Two years ago, when the Tuks swimmer competed at the World Short Course Championships (25 metres), she set an African record (24.33s). During the African Games, she won seven medals (five gold and two silver). De Lange won the 100m-freestyle and 50m-backstroke. She was second in the 50m freestyle and 50m-butterfly. She also won three gold medals in the relays.
“Winning gold in the 50m-backstroke was special. I nearly did not swim as I was only the fourth fastest qualifier. My coach convinced me to compete. Right from the start, I gave it my all. I set a Games record swimming at 28.76s. I was shocked afterwards. All in all, I was happy with my performance. I swam personal best times in all my events without tapering down.”
De Lange says she loves to push herself to her physical limits at all times. It is why she is swimming.
“Nothing is more rewarding after a training session or a race knowing you have given it your all. It feels like I am growing as a person.”
Please don’t ask the Tuks swimmer whether she has any role models because she doesn’t.
“I am very open-minded, and that is why there is no one person I look up to. I try to learn and take the best from as many swimmers as possible. I believe that is what will help me to be better.”
The Tuks swimmers who medalled in the individual events at the Games are:
Men: Andrew Ross: Silver (200m individual medley) and bronze (200m freestyle) and(200m breaststroke); Cameron Casali: Bronze (400m freestyle); Clayton Jimmie: Gold (100m freestyle) and silver (50m freestyle); Helgard Muller: Bronze (200m backstroke); Liam Vehbi: Bronze (200m butterfly) and (400m individual medley).
Women: Caitlin de Lange: Gold (100m freestyle) and (50m backstroke). Silver: (50m butterfly) and (50m freestyle); Catherine van Rensburg: Gold: (1500m freestyle), (400m freestyle), (400m individual medley), (800m freestyle). Bronze: (200m freestyle). Georgia Els: Gold (200m individual medley). Silver: (100m breaststroke). Bronze: (200m breaststroke); Hannah Mouton: Silver – (200m freestyle). Bronze: (400m freestyle); Kate Meyer: Silver: (200m breaststroke) and (50m breaststroke). Bronze: (400m individual medley); Leigh McMorran: Silver (200m butterfly);Tayla Jonker: Silver: (200m backstroke), (50m backstroke) and (100m backstroke).
Judo medallists Timothy Meuwsen, Michaela Whitebooi and Charne Griesel all won bronze medals.
Beach Volleyball: Danilo von Ludwiger won silver.
Athletics: Fredriech Pretorius won gold in the decathlon.
