By Sport South Africa
The 2025 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup got underway this past weekend in Carmel, USA, with Team South Africa making a solid start to the series, earning four medals — one gold and three bronze — across a number of competitive finals. The series will continue in Westmont, USA, this coming weekend before concluding in Toronto, Canada, from 23–25 October.
Chris Smith claims first World Cup gold
Nineteen-year-old Chris Smith delivered a composed performance to claim his first World Cup medal, winning gold in the men’s 50m breaststroke. After ranking second overall from the heats — winning his own heat in 25.93 seconds — Smith improved his time in the final to 25.75, touching ahead of the Netherlands’ Caspar Corbeau (25.78) and Neutral Athlete Ilya Shymanovich (25.79).
It was a confident display from the young South African, who continues to show encouraging signs early in his senior international career.
Two bronze medals for Rebecca Meder, including an African record
Rebecca Meder added two more World Cup medals to her growing collection with bronze finishes in both the women’s 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley. These results take her career total to five World Cup medals, building on the three she earned last year in Shanghai, China.
In the 200m breaststroke, Meder won her heat in 2:19.11, then improved to 2:18.24 in the final to finish third behind Kate Douglass (USA) and Anna Elendt (Germany).
She followed that up with another strong showing in the 200m individual medley, qualifying sixth in 2:07.87 before producing a standout performance in the final, breaking the African record with a time of 2:05.56 to secure bronze. The race was tightly contested, with less than a second separating Meder from winner Alex Walsh (USA) and Abbie Wood (GBR).
Chad le Clos adds to his long list of honours
Chad le Clos continued to demonstrate his consistency on the global stage, taking bronze in the men’s 100m butterfly. The event was won by Noe Ponti (Switzerland), with Ilya Kharun (Canada) in second.
Le Clos, now 33, remains one of the sport’s most experienced competitors and continues to extend his remarkable record as the most decorated swimmer in World Cup history — now standing at 227 medals (152 gold, 57 silver, 18 bronze). Beyond his performances, he remains an influential figure within South African sport, offering guidance and encouragement to a number of younger athletes, including swimmers such as Pieter Coetzé and even figures from other sports like figure skater Gian-Quen Isaacs, who recently spoke about Le Clos’s support and mentorship.
Next stop: Westmont, USA
The World Cup series now moves to Westmont for the second leg before wrapping up later this month in Toronto. With positive early performances and a balanced mix of experience and youth, Team South Africa will be looking to build on their opening weekend results in the races ahead.
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