Van der Burgh still causing a splash in China

Cameron van der Burgh won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the World Short-Course Swimming medal in Hangzhou, China. Photo: EPA

Cameron van der Burgh won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the World Short-Course Swimming medal in Hangzhou, China. Photo: EPA

Published Dec 12, 2018

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South African swimming legend Cameron van der Burgh highlighted his incredible longevity by winning his second 100m breaststroke gold medal at the World Short-Course Swimming medal in Hangzhou, China. 

The world record-holder won his first world short-course 100m breaststroke title eight years ago and produced a stunning repeat on the eve of his retirement. 

Swimming from lane seven, Van der Burgh took the race out fast touching first at the halfway point. 

While it looked like the South African was fading and losing the grip on the title, he held on to touch first in a new championship record of 56.01 seconds chopping 0.28s off the previous mark. 

He touched ahead of Belarus’ Ilya Shymanovichand Japan’s Yashuhiro Koseki, who clocked new national records of 56.10 and 56.13 respectively. 

With Van der Burgh assessing his future on an ongoing basis, he could feature at his last major swimming event for South Africa. 

Van der Burgh got married this year and also relocated to London for work signalling his transition from swimming superstar to a mere mortal with a nine to five job. 

@ockertde

IOL Sport

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