IRVINE, USA — Team South Africa put in a strong showing at the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Irvine, California. Over four days of competition from August 12 to 15, the South African squad competed well against an international field, coming away with two medals and a new continental record.
Michael Houlie, Kaylene Corbett, and Erin Gallagher led the national team, building on their performances from the recent Commonwealth Games to reach new milestones.
Houlie Earns Silver in the 50m Breaststroke
Michael Houlie continued his consistent form in the sprint breaststroke events. Following a silver medal in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games, Houlie replicated the result in Irvine.
During the morning heats on Day 3, he qualified first overall and set a Championship Record of 26.40. In the ‘A’ Final, he finished in 26.42, claiming a joint silver medal alongside Australia’s Samuel Williamson, who won gold with a time of 26.36. Earlier in the meet, Houlie also recorded a Pan Pacs Record intermediate split of 26.60 during his 100m Breaststroke heat.
Corbett Takes Bronze in the 200m Breaststroke
Kaylene Corbett added a bronze medal to South Africa’s tally in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke on the final day of competition.
After qualifying for the ‘A’ Final with a time of 2:23.54 in the heats, Corbett improved her pace in the evening session. She touched the wall in 2:22.97 to secure third place, finishing just behind Canada’s Alexanne Lepage, who won the event in 2:21.73. This bronze medal follows the silver she earned in the same event at the Commonwealth Games.
Gallagher Sets Continental Records
Erin Gallagher delivered an impressive campaign, highlighted by her performance in the Women’s 100m Butterfly. Building on her Commonwealth Games bronze in the same event, she reached another significant benchmark in Irvine.
In the ‘A’ Final, which was won by the USA’s Gretchen Walsh, Gallagher finished 6th with a time of 57.24. This result officially established a new South African and African Record. Gallagher also competed in the 50m Butterfly, where she finished 5th overall in the Championship final (25.43), and contributed steady legs for the national relay teams.
Finalists and Team Highlights
Beyond the headline medallists, several other South African athletes advanced to the evening finals throughout the week:
- Simone Moll secured 4th in the 100m Breaststroke ‘B’ Final (1:08.08) and finished 2nd in the 50m Breaststroke ‘B’ Final (31.26).
- Adrian van Wyk claimed 5th place in the 200m Backstroke ‘B’ Final (2:02.30) and anchored multiple relay teams.
- Morgan Cope finished 8th in the ‘A’ Final of the Women’s 50m Breaststroke (31.17).
- Matthew Caldwell completed a demanding distance schedule, finishing 8th overall in the Men’s 800m Freestyle final (8:02.08).
The championships concluded with Team South Africa participating in the medley relays, capping off a successful four days of racing and providing solid momentum for the rest of the competitive calendar.
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