Rising local swimming talents Lesley Blignaut and Bathandwa Dyantyi will be heading to Italy next week to join up with the SA Olympic swimming team at their training camp.
Stirling High School pupil Blignaut and Cambridge High School’s Dyantyi, both in Grade 11, were selected along with seven other swimmers from across the country and identified as future SA Olympic hopes.
They will now be taking part in the camp and rubbing shoulders with the country’s best.
“I am very excited for the camp,” said Blignaut.
“We were chosen based on our performance over the past year. They looked at our times and performances in all the local, regional and national galas and picked us, so I am proud to have been chosen.”
The training camp and Treviso competition will take place from June 27 to July 11 and will see the two tested to their limits with the squad.
“We will first have a gala when we get there, so we will be racing for the first few days, before we then go into the training camp,” said Blignaut.
“I am not sure who we will be swimming against in the gala and will only know when we get there, so my goal is to try and beat my personal bests, which is very important to keep improving and getting better.”
This camp will be a great chance for them to show their potential and impress on a big stage in front of the country’s best coaches.
“I am expecting some really hardcore training. I think we are going to be tested to the max and I am ready for it,” said Dyantyi.
“I had a really good year in swimming last year. This year has not been as good because school has come first for me, but I want to do as well as I can and impress at this camp.”
This is not the first time either has represented SA at swimming.
Blignaut went to Egypt for the Junior African champs last year and won bronze in the 50m butterfly event.
“They don't have many SA tours for junior swimmers in the country, so I want to take any chance I am given to perform,” said Blignaut.
Dyantyi twice represented the country at primary school level.
“I have represented South Africa twice, both in primary school, so I am happy to be a part of this camp now,” said Dyantyi.
Both girls have also represented SA in Biathle.
The most important thing for both of these aspiring swimmers will be to learn as much as they can from the camp and take as much out of it as possible so that they can keep on improving.
“Swimming is a sport which needs hardwork and dedication, so that is what I will be giving over the next few years as I try and make the next Olympics, but first I want to hopefully make the Commonwealth team next year,” said Blignaut.
“I will be aiming to take as much out of this camp as I can. I have quite a few events I am wanting to qualify for including the Commonwealth next year, so I will be giving it my all,” said Dyantyi.
Both girls leave for the camp next week Monday.
Tide is turning for budding stars
Stirling High School pupil Blignaut and Cambridge High School’s Dyantyi, both in Grade 11, were selected along with seven other swimmers from across the country and identified as future SA Olympic hopes.
They will now be taking part in the camp and rubbing shoulders with the country’s best.
“I am very excited for the camp,” said Blignaut.
“We were chosen based on our performance over the past year. They looked at our times and performances in all the local, regional and national galas and picked us, so I am proud to have been chosen.”
The training camp and Treviso competition will take place from June 27 to July 11 and will see the two tested to their limits with the squad.
“We will first have a gala when we get there, so we will be racing for the first few days, before we then go into the training camp,” said Blignaut.
“I am not sure who we will be swimming against in the gala and will only know when we get there, so my goal is to try and beat my personal bests, which is very important to keep improving and getting better.”
This camp will be a great chance for them to show their potential and impress on a big stage in front of the country’s best coaches.
“I am expecting some really hardcore training. I think we are going to be tested to the max and I am ready for it,” said Dyantyi.
“I had a really good year in swimming last year. This year has not been as good because school has come first for me, but I want to do as well as I can and impress at this camp.”
This is not the first time either has represented SA at swimming.
Blignaut went to Egypt for the Junior African champs last year and won bronze in the 50m butterfly event.
“They don't have many SA tours for junior swimmers in the country, so I want to take any chance I am given to perform,” said Blignaut.
Dyantyi twice represented the country at primary school level.
“I have represented South Africa twice, both in primary school, so I am happy to be a part of this camp now,” said Dyantyi.
Both girls have also represented SA in Biathle.
The most important thing for both of these aspiring swimmers will be to learn as much as they can from the camp and take as much out of it as possible so that they can keep on improving.
“Swimming is a sport which needs hardwork and dedication, so that is what I will be giving over the next few years as I try and make the next Olympics, but first I want to hopefully make the Commonwealth team next year,” said Blignaut.
“I will be aiming to take as much out of this camp as I can. I have quite a few events I am wanting to qualify for including the Commonwealth next year, so I will be giving it my all,” said Dyantyi.
Both girls leave for the camp next week Monday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos