‘King of Midmar’ aims to be Gung-Ho for Mile
CHAMPION swimmer Chad Ho is determined to win his eighth straight Midmar Mile in two weeks’ time – but he’ll have to beat an Olympic gold medallist to do it.
The “King of Midmar”‚ as he has been dubbed‚ will be competing against Dutchman Ferry Weertman‚ who took gold in the 10km open water swim at the Rio Olympics last year.
Ho finished just five seconds behind him . . . but still placed 10th. But come hell or high water‚ 26-year-old Ho is determined to maintain his unbeaten run.
“It will be a great honour for me to race him‚” said Ho. “We know each other and we are friends. Midmar is my home-ground and he doesn’t know what to expect as it is his first time.”
The competition‚ first held in 1974‚ is the world’s largest competitive open water event. It comprises eight races over a two-day period.
Ho said he had been struggling with illness over the last few weeks‚ but was training through it.
Asked if he is aiming for 10 he said although 10 is an ultimate goal‚ he prefers to take it year by year.
And he would prefer the dam to be “a little choppy”.
“I’m not a great fan of completely flat; I don’t see it as a true test. Then again we don’t want it so rough that it impacts on performance.”
At the 2015 Fina World Championships, Ho became the first South African to win gold in the men’s 5km open water event. This year, the Midmar Mile takes place on February 11 and 12. — TMG