Kathryn Meaklim wins 400m IM at the 2011 Telkom South Africa National Championship: Swimming News
The 21-year-old South African, Kathryn Meaklim, wins women’s 400m Individual Medley heats on the final day of the 2011 South Africa National Championship. With her excellent effort, she has become one of the top contenders for the gold medal is likely to
qualify for the 2011 Shanghai World Championships.
KZNA-KZ’s Meaklim was the fastest swimmer to take-off from the starting blocks and complete the first lap in a fastest time-frame of 30.29 seconds. She was followed by Jessica Pengelly and Rene D’ Warnes, who completed their first swims in 30.94 seconds
and 31.21 seconds. Meaklim cruised her way to the first 100m in a time of 1:04.64 minutes, while Warnes took over Pengelly and clocked 1:04.65 minutes against her 1:06.46 minutes effort.
After the first 100 metres, Meaklim demonstrated her great swimming style and kept on enhancing the lead from her closest opponents. NTS-NT’s Pengelly tried to catch her in the second 100 metres but failed, clocking a time of 2:20.43 minutes and behind Meaklim’s
2:17.30 minutes. In the third round, Meaklim extended her lead of almost seven seconds from Pengelly, posting a time of 3:38.64 minutes as compared to Pengelly’s 3:45.17 minutes. Warnes followed them on the third spot by completing her 300 metres swim in 3:48.22
minutes.
Meaklim presented a more furious swim in the second last lap, where she added a lead of one second, touching the wall in 4:12.22 minutes in contrast to Pengelly’s 4:20.05 minutes. Meaklim then sprinted her way in the final lap and touched the wall in a time
of 4:44.73 minutes to qualify as the fastest swimmer into the finals. Her unmatchable time satisfied the FINA A-Time Standard of 4:45.08 minutes. She was followed by Pengelly and Warnes, who touched the wall for second and third in 4:53.78 and 4:55.11 minutes.
Meaklim has become the arena’s favourite and has promised to provide more in the final. She has the aim to represent her country at the world stage of Shanghai and feels that it will be great if she stands on the podium.
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