Young Tandy making waves

Darian Townsend threw down the gauntlet in the 100m freestyle heats at the South African Swimming Championships in Durban yesterday morning, but in the mix is a rising star who is making waves in the US.

Brad Tandy, from Ladysmith,recently cracked a new sprint record on the US junior college circuit, clocking 19.06sec for the 50-yard freestyle dash and going 42.74s in the 100-yard freestyle to break compatriot Gideon Louw's record.

More impressive is that his 50-yard effort ranks as the second-best time on the full US college list so far this year. In the 100m heats yesterday morning, Tandy clocked the seventh-best time with 50.93s.

Townsend, who missed the qualifying mark in the 200m freestyle on Wednesday night, was the only man to dip below 50 seconds yesterday morning, touching the wall in 49.38s.

Next best was Gideon Louw in 50.03s, followed by Graeme Moore (50.18s), Leith Shankland (50.31s), and fifth-quickest was reigning champion Roland Schoeman, in 50.75s.

Tandy, 20, believes he is ultimately preparing for the 2016 Olympics, where South Africa could unleash a potent swimming team, judging from the performances of the promising youngsters this week.

Chad le Clos and Charl Crous, who have already qualified for London, are eyeing the Rio de Janeiro Games to make their mark.

"Whatever happens, happens - 2016 is my ultimate goal," said Tandy, who believes he can break the 50-second barrier for the 100m freestyle, although he's not sure about the 48.82 qualifying time.

"I have a better chance of making the qualifying time in the 50m freestyle [22.11s]. For the 100m freestyle I'm hoping to make the top five or six to get into the relay team for the Olympics."

It is possible that three or more swimmers could break the Olympic qualifying time in the 100m freestyle final tonight, although there is space only for two entrants in each Games swimming event.