Ice-Boks make waves at world champs in Italy with 24 medals

Rowan Callaghan|Published 1 month ago

Team South Africa – the Ice Boks – secured a healthy haul of medals in freezing conditons during the IISA 6th World Ice Swimming Championships in Molveno, Italy, in January. Photo: Deepbluemedia

The South African ice swimming team, the Ice-Boks, moved into the world Top 10 after their heroics at the sixth Ice Swimming World Championship in Molveno, Italy.

The nine team members returned home with an impressive 24 medals and five world records in their respective age groups, adding to South Africa’s growing reputation in a sport dominated by “cold countries”.

Over 750 athletes from 42 countries competed in the world championships from January 13 to 19, with water temperatures plunging to 1.1°C.

Reino von Wielligh of South Africa celebrates after winning the silver medal in the men’s 500m freestyle men during the IISA 6th World Ice Swimming Championships. | Deepbluemedia

Among the stars at the championships was Reino von Weilligh, one of South Africa’s most decorated athletes in ice swimming. Competing in the elite overall races, Reino won silver in the 500m freestyle, bronze in the 1000m freestyle (the most challenging races at around 1°C), and bronze in the 250 freestyle.

He also won four additional gold and silver medals in the 30-34 age group, including a world record of 2:45.0 for the 250m freestyle.

Marcelle Stiemans triumphed in the 55-59 age group, claiming four gold medals in the 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 200m individual medley. Stiemans broke four world records for her age group for the 50m backstroke (38.82 sec), 50m butterfly (36.42sec), 50m freestyle (33.06 sec) and the 200 individual medley (3min:12sec).

Picturesque Molveno, Italy, was the venue of the IISA sixth World Ice Swimming Championships in January. | Deepbluemedia

In the junior division, 15-year-old Luc-François Bonnici captured the Under-18 50m backstroke gold medal in his first world championships.

The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) founder and president Ram Barkai, the Ice-Boks captain, claimed a silver medal in the VIP relay.

With 24 medals in total, South Africa ranked 10th, with the top 10 countries otherwise being dominated by northern hemisphere countries, led by France, Germany and the US.

“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.