GIFTED young swimmer Malesela Molepo of Limpopo is steadily making a name for himself on the international swimming stage.
GIFTED young swimmer Malesela Molepo of Limpopo is steadily making a name for himself on the international swimming stage.
Molepo is the talk of the town in South Africa after winning a whopping 13 medals at the Confederation of African Swimming Zone 3 and 4 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, last week.
The youngster from Polokwane competed in 14 events overall, missing out on a medal overhaul by a whisker after finishing fourth in the 50m backstroke.
During the three-day event the 18-year-old grade 12 pupil at Hoërskool Tom Naudé won six gold medals, four silver and three bronze.
The six gold medals were in 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley.
Molepo went on to win four silver medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 500m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.
As if that was not enough of an achievement, the gifted Polokwane youngster went on to win three bronze medals in the 50m fly, 4 x 50m freestyle and 4 x 50m medley events.
"My target was 14 medals, but it's not the end of the world. I'm still young and the future looks bright for me," said Molepo yesterday.
Molepo attributed his incredible success in Nairobi to hard work, saying he was working hard to represent South Africa at the 2012 London Olympics.
"I have been working hard in the pool to perfect my techniques, the support I have been getting from everybody is great and I appreciate it," he said.
"The plan is to continue working hard and also win more local and international competitions as part of my preparations for the London Olympics."
Molepo first announced his arrival on the international stage by winning a bronze medal in 50m breaststroke at the Zone Six Games in Potchefstroom last year.
He wants to become the second-biggest international swimming star from Polokwane after 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medallist Lyndon Ferns.
Limpopo pupil scoops 13 swimming medals
GIFTED young swimmer Malesela Molepo of Limpopo is steadily making a name for himself on the international swimming stage.
GIFTED young swimmer Malesela Molepo of Limpopo is steadily making a name for himself on the international swimming stage.
Molepo is the talk of the town in South Africa after winning a whopping 13 medals at the Confederation of African Swimming Zone 3 and 4 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, last week.
The youngster from Polokwane competed in 14 events overall, missing out on a medal overhaul by a whisker after finishing fourth in the 50m backstroke.
During the three-day event the 18-year-old grade 12 pupil at Hoërskool Tom Naudé won six gold medals, four silver and three bronze.
The six gold medals were in 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley.
Molepo went on to win four silver medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 500m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.
As if that was not enough of an achievement, the gifted Polokwane youngster went on to win three bronze medals in the 50m fly, 4 x 50m freestyle and 4 x 50m medley events.
"My target was 14 medals, but it's not the end of the world. I'm still young and the future looks bright for me," said Molepo yesterday.
Molepo attributed his incredible success in Nairobi to hard work, saying he was working hard to represent South Africa at the 2012 London Olympics.
"I have been working hard in the pool to perfect my techniques, the support I have been getting from everybody is great and I appreciate it," he said.
"The plan is to continue working hard and also win more local and international competitions as part of my preparations for the London Olympics."
Molepo first announced his arrival on the international stage by winning a bronze medal in 50m breaststroke at the Zone Six Games in Potchefstroom last year.
He wants to become the second-biggest international swimming star from Polokwane after 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medallist Lyndon Ferns.