Pretoria-based swimmer Keri-Leigh Shaw powered her way to victory and a new South African record during the Japan Open from August 21 to 24 in Chiba Tokyo.

The 17-year-old swimmer, who hails from Louis Trichardt, won the B-final of the 100m butterfly event on the third day of the event. Her time in the event also qualified her for a new South African record, improving on fellow SA swimmer Mandy Loots’s time of 59,29 seconds, set in 2005.

Swimming South Africa assembled a formidable squad, combining youth with experience to compete in the Japan Open. The squad left for Japan on August 8 to attend a training camp and to acclimatize.

Keri-Leigh swam two personal best times in the 100m butterfly. In the first event, she dipped under the 60 second mark and in the second she won the B-final with a time of 59,17 seconds. Her time of 59,17 seconds made it the second South African record to fall at the event.

The South African team returned on Sunday, August 26.