Kings Beach's Minderon breaks SA record as pool champs wrap up in Gqeberha
Competing alongside younger athletes, Van Niekerk's time placed him among the top finishers in the Open division — a testament to his enduring speed and skill.
The final team standings saw Clifton Lifesaving Club rise to the top of the leaderboard with 572 points, followed by Big Bay Lifesaving Club (360) and Kings Beach (317) in a strong showing from host and surf-based clubs.
'It's been an incredible few days in the pool. Bryce's performance, along with others like Barjo's, shows the incredible depth of talent developing in South African lifesaving,' said Craig van Rooyen, Director of Sport for Lifesaving South Africa. 'Records are falling, clubs are stepping up, and the future of this sport is in great hands.'
Athletes competed across a full programme including obstacle swims, rescue medleys, manikin tows, and relays — testing both technical skill and physical endurance.
Significantly, coastal clubs like Clifton, Big Bay, and Kings Beach continued to make their presence felt in pool competition, a space historically dominated by Gauteng-based teams.
This shift highlights a new chapter in South African lifesaving, with clubs pushing for excellence in both surf and pool disciplines.
With pool events concluded, focus now shifts fully to Kings Beach, where the Junior and Senior Surf Championships will bring the championships to an exciting close. — Lifesaving SA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Diepkloof sensei officiates top regional karate event
Diepkloof's very own sensei, Thabo Molubi of the Kofukan South Africa Karate Team, has once again made the township proud. This time, he represented the country as a referee at the SADC Region South Karate Championships, held in Durban from May 23 to 25. This annual tournament is one of the most prestigious karate events in the Southern African region. Last year, it was hosted in Swakopmund, Namibia. 'This year, the championships were originally set to take place in Botswana, but due to logistical challenges, the event was relocated to Durban, South Africa,' said Sensei Molubi. ALSO READ: Saint Stithians' Saints SportsFest closes with a bang 'The tournament attracts karatekas from across the SADC region, including Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Lesotho.' More than 500 karate athletes participated, and Durban's shores welcomed tourists and supporters from all across Southern Africa. Molubi was selected by Karate South Africa to serve as a technical official and referee. He also holds a position on the SADC Region South Referees Commission, by virtue of his role as Chairman of the Referees Commission for Karate South Africa. ALSO READ: Development rugby takes centre stage at Saints SportsFest day 4 'During the first two days, we conducted referee and coach courses and managed the weigh-ins for all athletes. I was honoured to be appointed as a Tatami Manager for the actual competition,' he shared. Molubi noted the high standard of competition and the fierce determination shown by all participating countries. 'Saturday was dedicated mainly to kata events, followed later by children's kumite. South African athletes performed exceptionally well, winning most of the kata divisions,' he added. The energy in the venue was electric, with spectators—particularly parents—turning out in large numbers to cheer on the athletes and support the event's positive cause. The South African senior women's team triumphed over Angola in the finals, securing a gold medal and a trophy. The senior men's team also claimed victory against Angola in a tightly contested final match, winning by a narrow point margin. South Africa closed the championships with an outstanding performance, finishing with 56 gold, 43 silver and 56 bronze medals. This brought the country's total to an impressive 155 medals. ALSO READ: It's a wrap for day 3 of St Stithians sports festival 'I felt truly proud to represent South Africa and my township of Diepkloof,' said Molubi. 'I encourage all parents to get their children involved in sport. It opens doors and creates opportunities for the youth. Anyone interested in joining our Kofukan South Africa Karate Team is welcome to contact me at 079 921 3600.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
Fun facts about the Comrades Marathon
DURBAN - More than 22,000 runners will line up in Pietermaritzburg to take on the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday. This year's race will be a down run from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban. Here are some fascinating facts that capture the spirit and history of the race. Founded in 1921 by World War I veteran Vic Clapham, the Comrades Marathon was created to honour South African soldiers who died during the war. The first race saw 34 starters, with only 16 finishing, laying the foundation for a global sporting legacy. Recognised as the largest and oldest ultramarathon, the Comrades covers approximately 86–90 kilometres (depending on the route) between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It draws elite athletes and amateurs from around the world. The race alternates direction each year: The 'up run' starts in Durban and ends in Pietermaritzburg, while the 'down run' reverses the route. Each direction presents unique challenges, with the up run featuring more climbs and the down run known for punishing descents. In 2022, Tete Dijana set the men's down run record with a time of 5:13:58, while Gerda Steyn holds the women's down run record at 5:44:54, also set in 2022. These times reflect an astonishing pace for nearly 90 km. Wally Hayward, a five-time winner, became the oldest finisher in 1989 at age 80, completing the race 58 years after his first victory in 1930. His enduring legacy inspires runners of all ages. The Comrades is steeped in tradition, starting with a gunshot and the playing of Chariots of Fire and Sweet Caroline. Another unique ritual is the exchange of a greeting letter between the mayors of Durban and Pietermaritzburg at the finish. The Comrades Marathon House in Pietermaritzburg houses a museum showcasing medals, memorabilia, photographs, and a detailed route model, offering fans a deep dive into the race's history.
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs set to snatch rising star Ime Okon from rivals
Kaizer Chiefs are reportedly closing in on a major signing ahead of the 2025/2026 season, with highly-rated defender Ime Okon believed to be on the brink of joining the Soweto giants. The 21-year-old's contract with SuperSport United ends this month, allowing him to leave as a free agent, and Chiefs have wasted no time in making their move. After lifting the Nedbank Cup, Amakhosi are determined to build a squad capable of challenging on all fronts under incoming coach Nasreddine Nabi. Okon, who has drawn attention with his physical presence and calmness on the ball, is understood to be a key piece in that puzzle. 'They (Kaizer Chiefs) see him (Ime Okon) as a long-term solution at centre-back. I mean, he is only 21 and he could challenge (Inacio) Miguel, who is almost 30, for that position. On top of that, his contract expires soon,' a source told The South African . Okon previously caught the eye of scouts abroad, having attended trials with Danish top-tier side FC Midtjylland and Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv over the past 18 months. Despite impressing, no deal came to fruition, and he returned to see out his contract with Matsatsantsa. This presented Chiefs with a golden opportunity, and they appear poised to capitalise. Okon recently featured for Bafana Bafana in the COSAFA Cup. Which further strengthens his reputation as one of South Africa's most promising young centre-backs. His potential, youth, and international exposure make him an attractive prospect for a club eager to rebuild and restore glory. With negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage. And it looks increasingly likely that Okon will don the black and gold of Amakhosi next season. Will Okon be good enough to wear the Kaizer Chiefs jersey? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
