South African Ice-Boks Rank in the World’s Top 10 After Record-Breaking Performance

The South African ice swimming team, known as the Ice-Boks, has made an impressive leap into the world’s Top 10, thanks to their outstanding performance at the sixth Ice Swimming World Championship held in Molveno, Italy. Competing in one of the most challenging aquatic environments, the Ice-Boks returned home with 24 medals and five world records, cementing South Africa’s growing reputation in a sport traditionally dominated by colder nations.

A Showdown in Subzero Temperatures

Over 750 athletes from 42 countries took part in the championship, held from January 13 to 19, where water temperatures dipped to a chilling 1.1°C. Despite the freezing conditions, the South African team demonstrated resilience and skill, impressing audiences and competitors alike.

Picture: Deepbluemedia

Reino von Wielligh: A Star in the Cold

One of South Africa’s standout performers was Reino von Wielligh, a seasoned athlete in the world of ice swimming. Competing in the elite overall races, he won silver in the men’s 500m freestyle, bronze in the 1000m freestyle—one of the most grueling events at around 1°C—and bronze in the 250m freestyle. Von Wielligh also broke records in the 30-34 age group, setting a world record of 2:45.0 in the 250m freestyle. His remarkable achievement added four additional gold and silver medals to his collection.

Marcelle Stiemans Shines in the 55-59 Age Group

Marcelle Stiemans also made a significant impact, dominating the 55-59 age group by claiming four gold medals. She triumphed in the 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, and 200m individual medley. Her performance included breaking four world records for her age group in the 50m backstroke (38.82 sec), 50m butterfly (36.42 sec), 50m freestyle (33.06 sec), and the 200m individual medley (3:12).

Young Talent: Luc-François Bonnici’s Impressive Debut

The junior division also saw remarkable achievements, with 15-year-old Luc-François Bonnici capturing the gold medal in the Under-18 50m backstroke. This marked Bonnici’s first world championship and showcased the bright future of ice swimming in South Africa.

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IISA President and Team Captain Ram Barkai’s Silver Medal

Ram Barkai, the founder and president of the International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) and Ice-Boks team captain, claimed a silver medal in the VIP relay. His leadership continues to inspire the next generation of ice swimmers in South Africa and beyond.

With a total of 24 medals, South Africa finished 10th in the world rankings, joining the ranks of northern hemisphere countries like France, Germany, and the United States, which dominated the top spots. The championship not only tested the physical endurance of the athletes but also their mental resilience in one of the most extreme environments possible.

“The sixth Ice Swimming World Championship showcased both the physical and mental resilience of athletes from around the world, testing their limits in one of the most challenging aquatic environments. It was also a celebration of camaraderie and the unique joy of ice swimming,” said Barkai.

As the Ice-Boks continue to make waves in the world of ice swimming, their remarkable success in Italy adds another milestone to South Africa’s growing presence in this icy sport.