Courtesy of Brenton Williams and JBay News, Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
2016 Olympian Michelle Weber from KwaZulu Natal dominated the South African Open Water Swim Championships held in Marina Martinique in Jeffreys Bay as she won both the 5 km and the 10 km races and qualified to represent South Africa at the 2019 FINA World Swimming Championships in Gwangju, South Korea in late July.
On the first day, Weber won the 10 km comfortably in 2 hours 5 minutes 37 seconds with Abi Meder and Robyn Kinghorn following in second and third. South Africa’s Chad Ho finished third in the men’s 10 km after a pair of Israeli swimmers Matan Roditi and Idan Mordel. Danie Marais finished 4th and will represent South Africa in the 10 km with Ho in Korea.
The next day, Weber fought off Amike de Jager over the last 400 meters to win the 5 km .
“Marina Martinique once again showed why it is regarded as one of the top open water swim venues in the world and with the 10 km swim at the Olympics taking place in salt water, it gives our swimmers the opportunity to race in salt water in the build up to 2020,” said Kouga Municipal Councillor Brenton Williams. “The standard of swimming at the SA Open Water Swim Champs was incredible and it is great to see how a swimmer like Michelle Weber is maturing and she should be a real medal contender at the 2020 Olympic Games.”
Women’s 5 km Top 3 Results:
1. Michelle Weber 1:01:58.42
2. Robyn Kinghorn 1:02:00.33
3. Amica de Jager 1:02:00.83
Men’s 5 km Top 3 Results:
1. Michael McGlynn 56:33.61
2. Phillip Seidler 57:02.94
3. Chris McGlynn 57:04.91
Women’s 10 km Top 3 Results:
1. Michelle Weber 2:05:37.05
2. Abi Meder 2:07:44.36
3. Robyn Kinghorn 2:07:45.45
Men’s 10 km Top 3 Results:
1. Matan Roditi 1:52:40.24
2. Idan Mordel 1:52:50.39
3. Chad Ho 1:52:51.07
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