Bloemfontein – 16-year-old Zane Waddell stole the show at the recent National Tier 3 Swimming Championship at the Newlands swimming-pool in Cape Town.
The Grade 11 pupil from Grey College in Bloemfontein won no less than seven gold medals at the event. During the gala, Waddell was chosen for the South African youth squad for the second time in his fledgling career.
He was also called by Dean Price and Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos’s coach, Graham Hill.
"They told me what they want from me as a swimmer, and if I swim a certain time before the 2016 Rio Games I will be in the team," said Waddell.
On the first day of the gala in shadows of Table Mountain, Waddell swam the 100 metre backstroke in 58.12 seconds.
His younger cousin, Cullen Thomas, also took part in the same gala, winning three gold medals and claiming three silver and one bronze medal in the thirteen and under age group.
Like his cousin, Thomas also has his goals set on the Olympics.
"I have my sights set on the 2020 Olympics and I’m working really hard to achieve my goals," said Thomas.
During the gala his best event was in the 200 metre backstroke, which he swam in a time of 2 minutes 18 seconds.
