Swimming sensation scoops seven gold medals

St. John’s Diocesan School for Girls’ swimming star Milla Drakopoulos powered her way to seven gold medals at the South African Junior National Swimming Championships held at Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) recently.

Competing in the 15 years category, Drakopoulos scooped gold in the 50m,100m and 200m freestyle events, the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events as well as in the 50m butterfly event. Her times qualified her to participate in the senior women’s 100m backstroke event where she finished in fourth position, in a time of 1:03,76, surpassing her time of 1:04,01 in the 15 years category.

Formerly from Shelley Beach on the South Coast, Drakopoulos has been swimming competitively since the age of nine. Her family moved to Pietermaritzburg three years ago when she enrolled at St. John’s.

The grade 10 learner attributes her success in the championships to her coach, Wayne Riddin, who has been coaching her for the past three years. “I stuck with the programme that Riddin designed for me and it paid off. I carried out his training sets faithfully,” said Drakopoulos.

Riddin praised Drakopoulos on her outstanding achievements in a Facebook post. “Well done to Milla, as her dedication and hard work was rewarded.”

Her next major swimming event is competing in the Mare Nostrum events which will take place in Monaco, Barcelona and Canet in May.

Drakopoulos hopes to secure a swimming bursary at an American university after completing her matric.

Her goal is to represent South Africa and compete internationally.