Making waves at the EGA Championships
Young and talented swimmer Savannah Barman (16) broke the 200m butterfly record at the Eastern Gauteng Aquatics (EGA) Championship Gala, at the Delville Swimming Pool, Germiston, on December 7.
The record had been standing since 1988.
She won 12 gold medals, one silver, one bronze, and also received the victrix ludorum for the 16 and over female group and was recognised as the best overall senior swimmer.
The St Dominic’s Catholic School pupil said she never expected to achieve so much at the championships.
“I am beyond happy with my results and all my team mates’ results,” said Barman.
She added that her highlight of the championships was hearing her club’s name being announced as the overall winner of the championships for the second year in a row.
The Farrarmere resident started swimming at the age of seven, with the Boksburg Aquatics Saints Club, coached by Bev and Wade Marshall.
She said that, since she was born, she has always been a water baby.
“I feel it’s an escape from all the stress of school and life; I feel completely free,” she explained.
“The pool is my happy place.”
Barman recently qualified for the Olympic trials which will be held in the Kings Park Pool, in Durban, in April, and the Open Water Nationals, which will take place in March, next year.
When asked what her future plans are, she said: “My family and I will be relocating to the United Kingdom (UK) at the end of the year.
“I will carry on swimming in the UK, but I will still be representing South Africa in the pool and I hope I will attend the Olympics trials in April.”
Also read: Hall has her eye on the ball
