Sates wins gold, breaks African record

MELBOURNE - South African swimming king Matt Sates swam the second-fastest race of all time in the men's 200m Individual Medley in Melbourne.

Sates took the lead with 50m to go as he broke away from the rest of the competitors to win gold for South Africa in a time of 1 minute 50.15 seconds.

He finished ahead of American Carson Foster and Canada's Finlay Knox.

The 19-year-old also broke his junior world record en route to claiming his medal.

It's his first world title in 2022.

Sates was the top male swimmer in 2021, despite being forced to miss the world cup series last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

He finished below his expectations in the recently concluded world-long course swimming championships and the Commonwealth Games.

His triumph also means the Maritzburg resident is the new Africa record holder.