Cameron firmly on track for Rio
STELLAR FORM: SA STAR SITS ON TOP OF THE STANDINGS
Ten months before the 2016 Rio Olympics, breaststroke specialist Cameron van der Burgh believes his efforts in the closing stages of the 2014 season have created a solid base to launch his build-up to Rio.
The 27-year-old swimmer retained his lead in the Fina World Cup at the weekend, bagging his ninth gold medal at the fi fth leg of the series in Singapore.
Van der Burgh won the men’s 100m breaststroke final in 59.38 seconds on Sunday, well clear of American Kevin Cordes who finished second in 1:00.81.
He had also been scheduled to compete in the 50m breaststroke event, but Saturday’s opening day of competition was cancelled due to haze at the venue caused by fires in the area.
“I am very happy with the time and I think it is a good base for me going into the Olympics,” Van der Burgh told the series website.
After bagging the Olympic 100m title at the London 2012 Games, Van der Burgh went on to earn two medals at the global championships in Barcelona two years ago.
While questions have been raised about his ability to defend his Olympic title, Van der Burgh has displayed fine form in the closing stages of the season, as the Rio spectacle draws closer.
In August, he again earned two medals at the world championships in Kazan, and last month he secured double gold at the African Games in Brazzaville.
He has also gone unbeaten in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events in the World Cup campaign, rocketing to the top of the standings.
If he can maintain his form in the last three World Cup legs, Van der Burgh will become the second man, after compatriot Chad le Clos, to win the overall World Cup series three times.
The sixth of eight legs in the lucrative annual campaign will be held in Tokyo on October 28 and 29.