BUDAPEST (HUNGARY), It was a day to forget for the South African team at the Fina World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with not a single swimmer managing to progress through the heat stages.

The biggest disappointment was when the current world record holder in the 50 and 100 metres men’s breaststroke, Cameron van der Burgh did not start his heat.

Other South Africans who were in action in the pool were a big disappointment.

Cameron van der Burgh was expected to lead Team South Africa’s challenge when the swimming got under way at the Fina World Championships. The well decorated swimmer has already won multiple medals at the World Championships.

The two-time Olympic medallist had to settle for silver in both the 50 and 100 metre breaststroke events, at the 2015 World Championships.

It is not clear why Van der Burgh did not swim in his race in the 100 metres breast stroke.

Then Brent Szurdoki took part in the men’s 400 metres freestyle in heat four. Swimming in lane nine the South African failed to live up to expectations, finishing ninth after clocking 3:48.34 seconds.

The race was won by Jeremy Bagshaw of Canada.

Later on Douglas Erasmus competed in the men’s fifty metres butterfly heat, finishing last. Andri Govorov of the Ukraine won the race in the fastest heat of the day.

In the women’s 400 metre freestyle it was Kate Beavon in action. Beavon finished a disappointing eighth out of 10 swimmers and failed to advance. The race was won by Diana Duraes of Portugal.

In the women’s 4×100 metre freestyle, South Africa’s semi-final was the slowest they finished with a time of 3:57.83 seconds, finishing last out of 13 teams.

The men’s 4×100 metre freestyle relay team did not do any better. They finished seventh after clocking 3:17.41 seconds.

The men’s team finished 12th overall.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK