Swimmers of Mpumalanga clubs were back in competitive action at the MP Age Group 3 Gala on Friday and Saturday at Van Riebeeck Park.

Times recorded were not on par with such a gala as a result of the limited practice time and competition this year due to Covid-19 lockdown regulations. The swimmers were, however, thrilled to be back in the water, competing against the best in the Lowveld.

Radley Henning of Nelspruit Swimming Academy Development, competing in the 12-year-old age group, claimed six first places.

In the 50-metre breaststroke he won in 42,37, the 50-metre backstroke in 35,05, the 200-metre freestyle in 2:32,65, the 100-metre backstroke in 1:18,50, the 100-metre butterfly in 1:21,16 and the 200-metre backstroke in 3:01,88.

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Uniswim’s Miela Banza showed her class in the breaststroke events, winning three races in the 11-year-old age group.

She clocked 37,9 seconds in the 50 metres, 3:5,36 seconds in the 200 metres and 1:27,10 in the 100 metres. She was also first in her age group in the 100-metre freestyle in a time of 1:16,20.

Jetro Pitso showed that it is not going to take him long to get back into form with five wins in the 19-year-old age group.

The Tuks swimmer clocked 29,94 in the 50-metre backstroke, 26,89 in the 50-metre butterfly, 1:03,57 in the 100-metre backstroke, 25,23 in the 50-metre freestyle and 54,47 in the 100-metre freestyle.

Janson Rossouw of Curro Swimming Academy glided to three first places in the 15-year-old age group.

He finished the 200-metre butterfly in 2:23,04, the 200-metre freestyle in 2:09,70, and the 100-metre butterfly in 1:02,22.

Brooklyn Croxon, the 16-year-old of Uniswim, earned five first places.

She completed the 50-metre breaststroke in 38,42, the 200-metre freestyle in 2:12,30, the 50-metre butterfly in 34,77, the 50-metre freestyle in 28,49 and the 100-metre freestyle in 1:00,50.

The mercury hit 38 degrees Celsius during the gala, and although the swimming was not always that hot, the competitors will improve on their times with hard work in the practice pool and more competition.