Winning gold at World Champs was an emotional affair for para-swimmer Swanepoel
Kat Swanepoel scooped two gold medals one in the 150m individual medley and the other in the 50m Backstroke and a silver medal in the 60m Breaststroke.
Kat Swanepoel. Picture: Twitter/@TeamSA2024.
JOHANNESBURG – Team South Africa brought home four medals and a bucket full of African records with para-swimming sensation Kat Swanepoel bagging three of those medals and breaking four African records.
“I’m really happy with the overall performance. Medals aside I managed to achieve four personal best times out of my five events and set four new African records. It's been really tough training through winter with cold pools, so to have come away from worlds with the times that I did makes it all worth it,” said Swanepoel to Eyewitness News.
The Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester ran from 31 July 2023 to 6 August 2023 at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.
Swanepoel scooped two gold medals; one in the 150m individual medley and the other in the 50m backstroke and a silver medal in the 60m Breaststroke.
The para swimmer's second medal, which was her first gold medal was an emotional rollercoaster for Swanepoel.
“Emotionally that was such a crazy evening. I first went from a massive high as not only was it my first gold medal, but I swam a time I didn't think was possible. Then came the ultimate low of the DQ (disqualification) and I felt like I had let everyone down.”
The athlete touched the wall first at 2:51.41, over 10 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor stealing gold and breaking another African record but was shortly disqualified.
“We also didn't know why I had been DQ’d so there was so much uncertainty. I tried to keep a brave face on going back to the team prep area and was met with so much love and support. Not only from my team who were in tears, but also from so many other countries who went so far as to give us their rule book to appeal.”
Thereafter, officials investigated whether she had transgressed the rules with her turn from backstroke to breaststroke.
“That moment made me realise that our achievements are fleeting but the love and support of people who care will never fail. And then my coach Theo came back with the news that the time and medal had been reinstated and we all started crying again from so much happiness and relief. We all had a team hug which was very special to me.”
After an appeal and an extensive review of the race footage, the result was reinstated and the athlete claimed her gold medal in the 150m individual medley.
The athlete told Eyewitness Newsthat mental preparation plays a huge role in her racing and that she swam her races in her head repeatedly before the actual competitions
“I read an article before Worlds that changed my outlook on the mental side of racing. It advised to focus on all that you need to get right in a race, instead of all the things that can go wrong so that you see the race as an opportunity instead of a threat.”
Swanepoel said as soon as she stepped into the call room she quiets the voices in her head and visualises her race.
“My coach and I have a very jokey type of relationship - which helps with the nerves before a race but when I get into the call room, my caps and goggles go on and I try to quiet down and visualise the race ahead.”
Swanepoel has represented South Africa at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. She also raked in medals and broke African records at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira, Portugal in June 2022.