Swimmer Rebecca Meder continued her impressive run on the international stage, returning to the podium at the second stop of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup series in Westmont, Illinois. The 23-year-old South African standout added another bronze medal to her tally on Saturday, showcasing consistency and determination against some of the world’s top swimmers.
This latest achievement comes just a week after she collected two bronze medals at the opening leg of the World Cup, further solidifying her reputation as one of the rising stars in international swimming.
In the 200m breaststroke, Rebecca Meder stopped the clock at 2 minutes 18.88 seconds to secure third place. Olympic champion Kate Douglass took gold in 2:14.57, while Alex Walsh of the USA claimed silver with 2:18.54.
“It was another solid weekend of racing,” Meder said after the race. “Unfortunately, I started fighting a head cold on Wednesday, but I am grateful that I made finals for all of my races and finished 17th overall for this stop.”
This marked Meder’s third podium finish of the series, highlighting her growing confidence in a highly competitive field. Her performance in the 200m breaststroke is particularly notable as it’s one of the newer events she has added to her international race calendar.
Swimmer Rebecca Meder Claims Bronze in 200m Breaststroke
Swimmer Rebecca Meder didn’t just shine in the 200m breaststroke. She also delivered a solid performance in the 100m breaststroke, finishing fifth with a time of 1:05.35. Once again, Kate Douglass dominated, winning the race in 1:03.14, with Mona McSharry of Ireland taking silver in 1:04.18 and Alex Walsh adding another bronze in 1:04.45.
Meder also competed in the 100m individual medley, where she finished seventh with a time of 58.31 seconds. That event was won by American Gretchen Walsh, who set a World Cup record of 55.77 seconds.
Though Meder did not reach the podium in these events, reaching all three finals underscores her growing strength and versatility across multiple disciplines.
For Rebecca Meder, the breaststroke and individual medley events are relatively new territories.
“The 200m and 100m breaststroke events are relatively new; I’ve only been racing them internationally for a year,” Meder explained. “So I am grateful for this experience where I get to race the world’s best and to learn and grow with every race. I am looking forward to another weekend of racing in Canada.”
This willingness to challenge herself in new events reflects the competitive mindset that has propelled Swimmer Rebecca Meder to become a key name in South African swimming.
Meder’s consistent performances have positioned her among the top female swimmers in the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup standings. Heading into the final leg in Toronto, Canada, from October 23–25, she is currently ranked 14th overall.
For a swimmer still gaining international experience in certain events, this is a major achievement and a sign of even greater potential to come.
Born and raised in South Africa, Rebecca Meder has been steadily climbing the ranks in international swimming. Known for her versatility, she competes in multiple strokes and distances, which gives her a unique edge in the highly competitive world of professional swimming.
This World Cup season has showcased not just her talent but also her resilience. Competing through illness, adapting to new events, and consistently reaching finals demonstrates her competitive maturity at just 23 years old.
Her performances are also significant for South African swimming, inspiring a new generation of young athletes to compete on the global stage.
The third and final stop of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup will take place in Toronto, Canada. Swimmer Rebecca Meder is aiming to close out the series on a strong note. With three bronze medals already secured, she has proven she can compete with — and challenge — some of the world’s best swimmers.
The Toronto meet will also give her another opportunity to refine her performance in the 200m and 100m breaststroke, events in which she has made remarkable progress in a short period.
Rebecca Meder’s journey at the World Cup is more than just about medals — it’s about growth, resilience, and making her mark on the international stage. Her ability to adapt to new events while still performing at a high level speaks volumes about her talent and work ethic.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon and more major competitions ahead, Swimmer Rebecca Meder is clearly a name to watch. Her podium finishes in Westmont are a stepping stone toward even greater achievements in her swimming career.
As she prepares for the final leg in Toronto, fans and fellow athletes alike will be watching closely to see how this rising star continues to make waves on the world stage.