Six SA medals at Mare Nostrum

Matthew Sates secured two gold medals on a prolific opening day for the South African swimming squad at the first leg of the Mare Nostrum series in Monaco on Saturday night.

The rising teenage star was the first of the South Africans in action in the evening finals, powering to victory in the 400m freestyle. Sates held off Switzerland’s Antonio Djakovic to take the title in 3:49.27.

Not long after, the Maritzburg swimmer was back in the pool for the 200m individual medley, taking the lead after the first 50m but then dropping back to third spot on his least favourite backstroke leg. Sates then stormed back to the front of the pack on the final freestyle leg to win in 1:57.43 with American Sam Stuart second in 1:58.31.

Meanwhile, after leading for much of the 100m breaststroke, Lara van Niekerk was just outtouched by Olympic champion Lydia Jacoby.

“It was just nice racing against the best in the world,” said Van Niekerk.

“In the race, I didn’t really see anyone next to me, but I knew she was going to come back hard on the second 50… I saw her at the end, I actually thought I had it but she just out-touched me. She was super-sweet about it, she congratulated me and she’s an amazing person.”

Speaking about the experience of competing at senior international level for the first time, Van Niekerk added: “I’ve definitely learned how to manage with my nerves – how to control it and not let big names that have achieved a lot intimidate me or anything. And I’ve just learned to enjoy every moment because this is all part of the learning process.”

Veteran Chad le Clos was in action in the 200m butterfly final. He led at both the 50 and 100m marks but dropped back in the third 50m to eventually finish behind Switzerland’s Noe Ponti who won in 1:56.51.

The other two South Africans to grace the podium in Monaco were teenagers Pieter Coetzé and Rebecca Meder.