South Africa’s Erin Gallagher breaks African record in Chengdu

South Africa’s Erin Gallagher made history in a silver medal effort at the World Student Games in Chengdu.

Gallagher won the silver medal in the women’s 50 fly earlier in the competition, and she repeated the feat today by finishing second in the 100 fly with a time of 57.64.

ALSO READ: Ten things to know about Siya Kolisi

South Africa’s Erin Gallagher breaks African record

Gallagher, who has been swimming really well so far in Chengdu, set a new career high with this effort. In addition to setting a new record for Gallagher personally, her performance also set new records for the event in South Africa and Africa.

ALSO READ: Swallows sign free agent Gabadinho Mhango

At the 2019 South African Championships, Gallagher swam a time of 57.67 to set the previous South African Record. In the meanwhile, Farida Osman of Egypt, who swam a record of 57.66 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest last summer, held the African Record in the event.

The main distinction between Gallagher’s swim this weekend and her prior South African Record and African Record marks is how carefully Gallagher began the race tonight. She completed the first 50 metres slower than she did in 2019 and Osman did in Budapest last summer, but Gallagher was able to ratchet up the pace in the final 50 metres far quicker.

ALSO READ: Safa denies allegations over Banyana team selection

A new strategy

In the 50 fly earlier in the competition, Gallagher also broke the South African Record. She swam a 25.66, shattering the old record of 26.05 that she had held from the Commonwealth Games last year.

ALSO READ: Why Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is favoured for NFL MVP

Zhang Yufei won the women’s 100 fly at the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu with a world record pace.

Italy’s Giulia D’Innocenzo would round off the podium.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES WRITTEN BY JAMES RICHARDSON