Monday in Budapest was a great evening for Italians and Romanians, a superb evening for teenagers and, as so often at the World Swimming Championships, a good evening for experienced Americans.
After three years in turbulent waters, swimming starts to regain some stability with an extra edition of its long-course world championships in Budapest starting on Saturday.
Armed with faith and cleansed of doubt and fear, SA's swimming sensation Tatjana Schoenmaker's breakthrough moment at the Commonwealth Games in Australia will live long in the memory.
Adam Peaty flexed his muscles on day one when the Briton shattered his own 100m breaststroke world record, becoming the first swimmer to break the magic 57-second barrier.
Santos's winning 21.81secs was a new championship record and even though it fell just short of his global leading time of 21.75secs, set in October, he was clearly delighted to get one over rival Le Clos, the reigning champion and an Olympic gold medallist.
Cameron van der Burgh will compete in the 50m breaststroke final after finishing second in his heat in a time of 26.54 seconds which was a new African and South African record.
Le Clos powered into the lead & stayed out in front with brilliantly executed turns before finishing the race in a record 48.08 seconds.
Swimming South Africa won the Federation of the Year at Sunday night’s SA Sports Awards.
Speculation is rife that the four-time London Olympic gold medalist is contemplating his comeback.
Gerhard Zandberg was disciplined hours before a race for changing rooms to be with his girlfriend.
Chad le Clos and Cameron van der Burgh won their first gold medals on Wednesday night.
SA swimmers continue to shine at the Swimming World Championships.
Van der Burgh hasn't been seen competing in major sporting event due to a knee injury.
