Numerous South African swimmers managed to set qualification times for the Rio Olympic team short list at the weekend thanks to stunning performances on the opening night of the SA National Aquatic Championships which are being held at the Kings Park Aquatics Centre in Durban.

A total of four Olympic and two Paralympic qualification times were achieved, with one of those earning a new African record.

Sebastien Rousseau and Michael Meyer both secured their places on the Olympics shortlist, with excellent performances in the 400m individual medley allowing them to produce two Olympic qualification times.

Rousseau finished in a time of 4:14.75, while Meyer’s time was 4:15.71. Both did better than the required 4:16.71 Olympic standard.

SA’s Myles Brown did well to win gold in the 400m freestyle, and secure an Olympic qualification time of 3:48.86, just 0.07 seconds ahead of Marwan Elkamash of Egypt with a time of 3:48.93. Both of the swimmers managed Olympic qualification times under the set 3:50.40.

South African veteran swimming sensation Cameron van der Burgh produced his Olympic qualification time during the 100m breaststroke semi-finals. The current Olympic champion performed well and earned an Olympic qualification time of 59.69.

The South African Paralympian team for the Rio Paralympic Games is beginning to take shape thanks to the achievement of two qualifying times and an African record on day one.

Kevin Paul won the 200m individual medley (SM10) event with a time of 2:15.78, ahead of the required 2:17.20, while Alani Ferreira won his 200m individual medley (SM13) event, managing to earn a new African Record and setting a Paralympic qualification time of 2:50.43, ensuring that his time came in under the 2:52.27 required.

Other qualification times are expected in the days to come, with South Africa likely to have a number of medal hopefuls in the swimming pool come Rio 2016.