Motoring
Retiring Olympic star helps teammates to win medley relay title at SA championship
A local Olympic swimming star concluded her career on a high note at the SA Short Course Championships in Durban over the weekend. Emma Chelius participated in her final event, triumphing in the 4x50m medley relay alongside TUKS teammates Kerryn Herbst, Georgia Els, and Caitlin de Lange, setting a new South African record time of 1:50.95 minutes.
The 28-year-old, who also serves as a swimming coach at Southdowns College in Centurion, enjoyed a successful international career, competing at prestigious events like the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and African Championships.
Her career’s pinnacle moment occurred in 2021 when she represented South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics, advancing to the semifinals of the 50m freestyle event while setting a national record twice, in both the heats and semifinals in Tokyo.
Reflecting on her final race, Chelius expressed, “I have experienced a range of emotions in the days leading up to this moment, processing the bittersweet heartache of retiring from the sport. Today, I felt pure excitement. The race itself was a blur, and having my family present to support me was the perfect ending. It fills me with excitement for the next phase, knowing that it will still involve swimming.”
Chelius shared that her primary goal was always to be a supportive teammate, a role she believes she can continue even outside of competitive swimming.
“It feels like the right time to step away. My husband, Troyden Prinsloo, is also a coach, so swimming will still be a part of my life. The friendships and bonds I’ve formed with teammates and friends will last a lifetime. Overall, I am content with this decision,” Chelius concluded.
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