22 November 2025 | Tokyo, Japan
South Africa returned to the water today with a full slate of races on Day 6 of the Deaflympics, showcasing the power, promise, and perseverance of our swimmers at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.
Although we didn’t reach the podium today, there were determined efforts, personal growth, and another appearance in the semi-finals for Team SA.
Men’s 100m Freestyle
Mark Roach delivered a strong morning swim, clocking in at 53.68, placing him 5th in his heat, which was fast enough to advance to the semi-finals. However, despite a valiant effort in the evening session, he did not progress to the final.
James Willers, also competing in this event, swam a time of 1:06.39, placing 52nd overall in the heats.
Women’s 100m Breaststroke
Kate Allwood continued her strong showing at the games, racing the 100m breaststroke in 1:30.29 and placing 21st overall. She’s gaining experience with every race and remains a standout in the squad.
Men’s 50m Breaststroke
In a packed field, Deaflympic legend Terence Parkin competed in the sprint breaststroke event, finishing with a time of 31.31, placing him 16th overall in the heats.
Amkele Qamarana, one of our young talents swam this event in 33.45, sharing the same time as a Brazilian competitor, and tying for 28th place.
What’s Next – 23 November
Tomorrow, we’re back in action in both swimming and athletics:
- Kate Allwood competes in the Women’s 50m Freestyle
- Men’s 4x100m Relay – Our sprint team takes on the track in the afternoon
Let’s keep the momentum going. The team is ready, and the support from back home means everything.