ELITE CONTENDERS
Swimmers to Watch Defending champ McGlynn guns for another Midmar milestone
Defending aQuellé Midmar Mile men ’ s champion
Michael McGlynn admits the pressure will be on , but he is relishing the opportunity to race again when the event takes place under very different circumstances in 2021 .
Last year proved to be something of a breakthrough event for the Durban swimmer as he powered past seven-time champion Chad Ho for victory .
This year , the aQuellé Midmar Mile is taking place over two consecutive weekends , 6-7 March and 13- 14 March , in order to make it safer for all swimmers taking part . McGlynn will be part of a 20-strong field in a specially arranged elite event on 7 March , fighting for the title once again .
Like for all swimmers , it hasn ’ t been the easiest of build-ups for the 21-year-old , who also has a spot on the SA team to the Tokyo Olympics in his sights .
“ Last year I half qualified for the 2020 Olympics in the 10km open water swim and I couldn ’ t get to the final round of qualifiers . It was tough because I came off such a high and went straight into a lockdown ,” explained McGlynn .
That meant trying to train in gym and school pools for a protracted period of time .
“ I had to stay in Pretoria for November just to train in a 50m pool . Then I travelled back to Durban for December to race any race possible because I hadn ’ t done much training . To top it off I swim distance freestyle , so it became a snowball effect ,” he added .
Heading into the aQuellé Midmar Mile as defending champion , McGlynn is hoping he ’ s done enough .
“ I think it adds more pressure but I ’ m happy to be in this race again . Midmar is always that first breakout swim of the year and where I broke through , so hopefully I can bounce back .”
Looking back on his 2020 victory , McGlynn added : “ It was crazy . I remember getting to the front of the pack and leading . I had this realisation of ‘ it ’ s me ’, because I had never led a Midmar before .”
A good showing on 7 March will go a long way to boosting McGlynn ’ s confidence heading into Olympic qualifiers . He ’ ll need to finish top two in the national open water championships and then top nine at the next global qualifying event in order to make the team to Tokyo . He ’ s also gunning for a qualifying time and a top two position in the 800m freestyle in the pool .
But for now , the focus is on regaining his fitness and form and defending that Midmar title .
“ This time I know what I want and I know what I ’ m fighting for this time around as I ’ ve gained a lot more experience ,” he reckons .
Images : Action Photo SA
8 aQuellé Midmar Mile | Worlds Largest Open Water Swim