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Lara Loves Free2Fly!
July 25, 2022
Collections, Athletes
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Lara Loves Free2Fly!

We were so excited to have record-breaking South African sprint swimmer (and one of our favourite funkettes) Lara Van Niekerk modelling our latest Free2Fly collection prior to World Championships in Budapest.

Lara Van Niekerk wears Funkita swimwear
Lara wears Snow Caps in the Tie Me Tight One Piece

The Pretoria Aquatic Club swimmer, who recently celebrated her 19th birthday, is the South African and African record holder in the 50m Breaststroke. At 18, Lara was the first African woman to swim the 50m Breaststroke in under 30 seconds. She has gained national, Commonwealth and age-group records in both the long and short course 50m and 100m Breaststroke events.

Lara Van Niekerk wears Funkita swimwear
Lara wear the gorgeous Mingo Magic in the Strapped In One Piece

At the 2022 South African Championships in April, Van Niekerk secured her position as one of South Africa’s top female sprint swimmers, after winning the 50m and 100m Breaststroke events ahead of double Olympic medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker.

At World Championships in the 50m Breaststroke final she was just 0.20 seconds behind Lithuanian Ruta Meilutyte, earning herself a bronze and South Africa’s only Championship medal in 29.90. Earlier in the meet Lara also featured in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke, touching 13th (1:06.75) in the semi-finals.

Lara Van Niekerk wears Funkita swimwear
Patch Panels in the Single Strength One Piece glow on Lara in the afternoon sun

Since the age of 13, Van Niekerk has been competing and winning medals at national and international meets in Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle. She is keen to acknowledge that her teammates at the Pretoria Aquatic Club have helped to drive her forward. There is a friendly competitiveness amongst the squad and a positive attitude to “push each other” to be the best.

Van Niekerk’s love of Funkita swimwear began when she discovered its chlorine-resistance and durability were perfect for the amount of time she spends in the pool. “For a breaststroke swimmer, Funkita swimsuits provide the ultimate freedom of movement in the water” she tells us. “What’s more, Funkita’s bright training suits are always inspiring and the APEX Predator X race suit is the most comfortable suit available.”

Lara is ready to race at Commonwealth Games and will have plenty of the new Free2Fly collection with her.