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Waddell shifts attention to next goal

───   MORGAN PIEK 16:49 Wed, 31 Jul 2019

Waddell shifts attention to next goal | News Article
Zane Waddell - Morgan Piek

The newly crowned 50m backstroke World champion, Zane Waddell, arrived back in Bloemfontein on Tuesday from the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.


The 21-year-old swimming announced himself to the international stage on Sunday with his victory which was seen as a major shock.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Waddell, said it is time to move to his next goal, which is qualifying to for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

"The 18th FINA World Champs in South Korea is definitely one to remember. It was really an honour to go out there and represent South Africa, represent Bloemfontein, and represent everyone who has been with me along the way. 

"To be able to achieve such a high-level accolade is just phenomenal, it something that I cannot describe in words.

"This was definitely one of my short to medium term goals, to be able to get that Olympic gold medal. I am happy to have achieved that, but it is time to look forward. 

"I do have the Olympics coming up next year and I do have that gold medal dream that I have to look forward to, so I can't spend too much time dwelling on this. 

"I have enjoyed this but now it is time to move on and carry on training hard to achieve my next goal.

The fact that Waddell won the gold does not ensure him of place in sport's greatest showpiece next year. He will still have to qualify, which he can do while swimming for the Crimson Tide in the USA, or coming back to South Africa and finish in the top two at the National qualifiers.

"I've heard that there is a short window in which I can qualify for team South Africa outside of the Nationals. 

"However, I still have to come to the Nationals and place in the top two to book and confirm my ticket to the Olympics.

"I was a little sad to be swimming the 100m backstroke during the World Championships because I was 0.02 sec off qualifying for the Olympics in Naples. So, to have had a second chance to swim, that would have been great.

"I'm really looking forward to the 100m backstroke, I've obviously got the speed for the 50m, so we've just got to work on my endurance then I think my race could really come together."

Waddell will be returning to the USA on 17 August to complete his final year of studies at the University of Alabama.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport

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