After an incredible South African Sports Association for the Intellectually Impaired (Sasa-II) national event in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, both Minke Janse van Rensburg (21), and Lochner Bekker (31), from the Garden Route Swim School, have been selected to represent South Africa at the Down Syndrome Swimming World Championships in Portugal this November.

George Herald reports that over a 100 swimmers competed at the event.

“Minke was unstoppable,” said her father, Hennie.

“She wasn’t just named the women’s swimmer of the event, she was the overall best swimmer of the competition.”

To top it off, Janse van Rensburg also won the national women’s singles table tennis tournament and, alongside Gauteng player Pieter Stark, claimed the mixed doubles title.

Bekker had an outstanding meet as well, winning 11 medals, including a gold in the 100m breaststroke, which Hennie described as ‘a particularly challenging stroke for many swimmers with Down syndrome’.

The Sasa-II event was Bekker’s second such competition.

“He was very determined to make the team for Portugal and remained highly dedicated and focused throughout the competition,” said his mother, Bleida.

“His hard work with his coach, under the guidance of Franna Vorster from the Garden Route Swim School, had paid off.”

Janse van Rensburg and Bekker concluded their training sessions in Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where they enjoyed the wildlife and the fresh air.

“We are so grateful for the time we could spend together and are proud of both our young athletes,” said Hennie. “The national federation creates such wonderful opportunities each year for people with Down syndrome to compete at this level,” said Hennie.

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