Swimming World Cup: Matt Sates impresses at 20

Matt Sates skipped the world swimming championships held last July in Fukuoka, Japan. The 20-year-old South African wants to focus on his preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Sates still took part in the Swimming World Cup, which comprises three legs (Berlin, Athens, Budapest). And the 20-year-old South African came close to causing a major upset by finishing top of the overall standings.

Matthew Sates won a string of races in the individual medley and butterfly on the 2023 circuit. He led the standings going into the final event. China's Qin Haiyang had been ranked first after the opening two legs, winning in both Berlin and Athens. But with one day left, Sates overtook Qin. On the second day of the third leg in Budapest, Sates claimed the triple crown in the 200 m individual medley and the 200 m butterfly, which proved decisive. But China's Qin hit back by taking the 200 m breaststroke for a ninth win. With the extra points he needed, Qin tipped the balance in his favour. Agonisingly close to victory, Sates ultimately had to settle for third place. Winner of the 100m backstroke, Thomas Ceccon edged him out at the death by just one point.

Matthew Sates therefore misses out on the handsome sum of 100,000 dollars promised to the winner. But the South African is rather pleased with his performances and is now focused on the upcoming Olympics in Paris in 2024.

Find out the overall Swimming World Cup rankings 👉 https://t.co/x9d8jOQ7PI#swimming #SWC23 pic.twitter.com/9iA2t6hege

— World Aquatics (@WorldAquatics) October 22, 2023