Charlene Wittstock's Education & Swimming Career

[LadyMacAlpine]

Telkom South African Championships - Day 2 Report
Women's 50m Freestyle
With Charlene Wittstock opting not to swim in the freestyle events and Chrissy Cech having not returned from the USA for this meet a number of new young faces appeared in their first senior national final.
Women's 200m Backstroke
Charlene Wittstock (KZN) claimed victory in an exciting tussle with her promising club mate Melissa Corfe.

Wittstock had built up a significant lead at the halfway mark and the result was never in doubt, however Corfe had an awesome last 100m (1:09.54/1:10.54) and closed the gap significantly to claim the silver in a respectable 2:17.11.

Wittstock's winning time was 2:15.80 while Romy Altmann (WP) fell off the pace a tad to claim the bronze in 2:19.16.

Mare Nostrum Monte Carlo - Day 2
June 15, 2001 when Albert and Charlene had there first date. Belga Pictures

South African Charlene Wittstock came into the final seeded third after posting a 1:04.24 in what was seen as a welcome return to form, while Brazilian stalwart Fabiola Molina (1:04.59) had a point to prove.
Goodwill Games - Day 1 Report August 29, 2001
EVENT 4 - 100m Backstroke Women
Match 2
Unranked Charlene Wittstock WLD, 1:02.66, caused an upset win ahead of Clementine Stoney AUS by the narrow margin of 0.09. Dyana calub AUS was third, 1:03.16 and Erin Gammel 4th in 1:04.29.
AUS 22 WLD 12

EVENT 14 - 50m Backstroke Women
Match 2
Charlene Wittstock EUR made it a double in backstroke for the EUR team. Giaan Rooney AUS team captain and Dyana Calub took out 2nd and 3rd for AUS with Renate Du Plessis 4th.
AUS 80 WLD 44

FINA World Cup 1 - Day 1 Finals November 17, 2001
Africa:
Women's 200 back 2:09.12 by Charlene Wittstock (RSA) who was second in the final but bettered her own previous record of 2:11.74 from 2000.
FINA World Cup 1
Top women's qualifiers Lindsay Benko (USA) in the 200 free 2:00.57, Charlene Wittstock (RSA) in the 50 back 28.45
RSA - won 6 Silver medals

World Cup 5 - Day 2 Report December 8, 2001
Charlene Wittstock (RSA) bettered her own African record of 1:00.28 with her winning effort in the 100 backrtoke with 1:00.16.

South African Champs - Day 2 January 4, 2002
In the ladies 50m backstroke, Charlene Wittstock continued her recent run of form when she showed great underwater work in posting a credible 28.58 to claim her place in the South African team for the forthcoming FINA World Short Course Championships in Moscow. The Mr. Price Seagulls swimmer looked comfortable and is sure to come up against Sarah Price of Great Briton in tomorrow nights final.

The ladies 100m backstroke final followed with another visitor, Sarah Price from Great Britain claiming the honors in a continental best of 59.97 ahead of Charlene Wittstock (Mr. Price Seagulls) who was a tad of her record claiming silver in 1:00.68.

In the ladies 50m backstroke, Charlene Wittstock is set to take on Sarah Price of Great Britain in what is sure to be a pulsating final. Wittstock recorded a 28.60 while Price settled for a 29.79. They accounted for Bevin Reynolds (30.40) and Candice Little (30.73) respectively.

South African SC Champs - Day 3
The Mr. Price Seagulls trio of Brett Peterson, Melissa Corfe and Charlene Wittstock along with the diminutive Mandy Loots (Dolphins) and Theo Verster (Pietermaritzburg Seals) all set new African and South African records in their respective items.

Charlene Wittstock claimed yet another continental mark in the ladies 50m backstroke when she accounted for Sarah Price from Great Britain. Price had had the better of the local lass in the longer distances, however it was Wittstock who had a great start and hung in there. Working on her turn and using the underwater to her advantage Charlene was victorious in a time of 28.26 shaving .19 seconds off her mark established at the recent FINA World Cup meet in Rio in November. Price had to settle for a 28.46.

Fitting Climax to South African SC Champs - Day 4 January 6, 2002
Sarah Price from Great Britain posted a fine 2:06.94, yet another fastest time ever on the African continent, when she showed a clean set of heels in the ladies 200m backstroke. Local ace Charlene Wittstock (Mr. Price Seagulls) claimed the silver when she recorded a 2:10.26 while club-mate and promising junior Melissa Corfe won the bronze in 2:12.80 ahead of Romina Armellini (Wanderers) who posted a time of 2:12.91

World Cup 8 Stockholm January 22, 2002
50 METRES BACKSTROKE
3) 28.16 964 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Pelims
3) 28.56 943 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
200 METRES BACKSTROKE 1) 2:09.72 965 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Pelims
2) 2:12.07 939 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA

Moses Makes It Three in Stockholm January 23, 2002

100 METRES BACKSTROKE
2) 1:00.25 962 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
4) 1:01.71 927 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA


FINA World Cup 9 Berlin January 26, 2002
50 METRES BACKSTROKE
5) 28.50 946 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
4) 28.24 960 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
200 METRES BACKSTROKE
3) 2:09.82 964 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
5) 2:11.89 941 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA

Two World Records Today Brings Berlin Total To Six January 27,2002
50 METRES BACKSTROKE
5) 28.50 946 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
4) 28.24 960 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
100 METRES BACKSTROKE
6) 1:00.91 946 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
5) 1:01.20 939 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
200 METRES BACKSTROKE
3) 2:09.82 964 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA
Prelims
5) 2:11.89 941 Charlene Wittstock,78,RSA

 

[LadyMacAlpine]

Telkom South African Championships - Day 1 Report April 12, 2002
The first day of the Telkom South African National swimming championships, which are also the Commonwealth Games trials.
Women's 200m Backstroke: semi-final
Nothing counts like experience and this event saw Charlene Wittstock step up a level when she posted a respectable 2:16.59 to advance to Saturday's final as the firm favourite for the title.

Telkom South African Championships - Day 3 Report April 14, 2002
Women's 50m Backstroke semi-final
Renate du Plessis (WP) is a lady on a mission. The powerful du Plessis could very well cause an upset in Monday nights final over the more fancied Charlene Wittstock. While du Plessis posted the second fastest time of 30.34, she looked decidedly at ease with her effort after Wittstock claimed top spot in 30.13.

Telkom South African Championships - Day 4 Report April 15, 2002
Charlene Wittstock said she was very tired going into her 50m backstroke final. "I've been on the go for nine months. I also got food poisoning in Moscow," she said after the semis. "I'm in the top 10 in the world (200m short-course), but to go to the Commonwealth Games we have to compete here and meet these tough qualifying standards."
Women's 50m Backstroke
Superior underwater work saw the powerful Renate du Plessis (WP) claim a surprise victory over Charlene Wittstock when she held off the fast finishing lass from Durban in yet another exciting tussle which saw the near capacity crowd extremely vocal.

Du Plessis claimed the title in 29.84 while a visibly tired Wittstock had to settle for the silver in a time of 30.09. The up and coming Monique Malan was a clear winner of the bronze in 30.67 while Romy Altmann (WP)had to settle for fourth place in 31.18


Telkom South African Championships Day 5 Report April 16, 2002
Women's 50m Backstroke semi-final
Another cracker-jack affair is on the offering in tomorrow nights final as Charlene Wittstock (KZN) comes head to head with the inform and rested Renate du Plessis (WP) as these two ladies emerged as the top seed after the semis.

Wittstock won the first semi comfortably in 1:04.05 while du Plessis had similar fortune in the second semi recording a 1:04.38.


Telkom South African Championships - Day 6 Report
The University of Florida student claimed another two titles when she first upset the Gauteng flyer, Mandy Loots in the 50m butterfly and followed this up with a victory in the 100m backstroke snatching victory from Charlene Witttstock.

While nothing can be taken away from the lady "gator", both Loots and Wittstock have just completed a punishing nine month program which saw them compete on four continents, in numerous meets and set a number of national and continental marks and both are visibly tired.


South African Commonwealth Team Nominations May 16, 2002
Women: Sarah Poewe (WP), Mandy Loots (Central Gauteng), Charlene Wittstock (KZN), Helene Muller (CG) and Renate du Plessis (WP)

Three World Cup Records Fall on the First Day of World Cup 4, December 6, 2002
Great Britain 14-year-old Stephanie Proud bettered her best by more than a second to haul in early leader South African Charlene Wittstock in the 200m backstroke. At 2:08.00, Proud was more than a second ahead of Wittstock and Australian Kelly Tucker.

Event 110, 200m Backstroke Women, Final
1. PROUD Stephanie 1988 GBR 2:08.00
2. WITTSTOCK Charlene 1978 RSA 2:09.14 1.14

World Cup 3 Day 2 Report & Results December 7, 2002
A blanket could be thrown over the field for the 100m backstroke final with six touching the wall simultaneously. South African Charlene Wittstock came in five hundredths of a second ahead of Giaan Rooney (AUS), just beside her in lane one. Courtney Shealy (USA) was one hundredth of a second back in third. The next three swimmers were only 0.24 behind third place.

Event 117, 100m Backstroke Women, Final 1. WITTSTOCK Charlene 1978 RSA 1:00.32
Belga Pictures page 5 Charlene Wittstock from South Africa (R), receives her winners cheque watched by second place-getter Giaan Rooney of Australia (L), after taking out the final of the 100m backstroke, at the short course World Cup in Melbourne, 07 December 2002. Wittstock won in a time of 1:00.32.

 

[LadyMacAlpine]

RSA Championships - Zanberg Betters Own Backstroke Records April 10, 2003

50 METRES BACKSTROKE 1 29.56 Wittstock Charlene,78,RSA

100 METRES BACKSTROKE 1 1:02.56 Wittstock Charlene,78,RSA

200 METRES BACKSTROKE 1 2:14.90

Corfe Melissa,85,RSA 2 2:15.10 Wittstock Charlene,78,RSA

2003 World Championships Qualifyers
WITTSTOCK, Charlene, 25, 50 back, 100 back, 200 back

Day 2 of South African Championships April 17, 2004

Silver went to stalwart Charlene Wittstock (CGA) in a time of 26,63 while the 14-year-old Tanya Strydom (KZN) (26,73) once again put up her hand with a solid performance.

Event 1 Women 50 LC Meter Freestyle
2 Wittstock, Charlene 26 Team-Cga-CG Semis-26.64 Finals-26.63

South African National Championships - Day 3 Report & Results

Event 33 Women 50 LC Meter Backstroke
===============================================================================
SA-L: * 29.18 02/08/2002 Charlene L Wittstock at Common, RSA-KZ
Africa-L: ! 29.18 30/07/2002 Charlene L. Wittstock at Commo, RSA
2003World LC: # 28.25 17/06/2000 Sandra Volker - GER 32.73 SAQ

Wittstock, Charlene 26 Cga-CG Prelims--29.96 Semis--29.48 SAQ


South African National Championships - Day 4 Report & Results April 19, 2004

1 Wittstock, Charlene 26 Team--Cga-CG Semis--29.48 Finals--29.36 SAQ
The ladies event saw Charlene Wittstock (CGA) battle it out with a determined Renate duPlessis (WP) for top honors with the blonde Gutenger claiming the title in a time of 29,36. Telkom South African SC Champs - Day 1 Report September 3, 2004

The ladies 100m backstroke is sure to be on of the highlight event of Friday's finals. Charlene Wittstock, now swimming for Tuks, showed a welcome return to form, her effort of 1:01.62 setting her apart from the pack who were headed by Melissa Corfe (1:03.15) and Romy Altmann (Maties) who recorded a time of 1:04.17. the medals are sure to be contested by this trio.

Telkom South African SC Champs - Day 3 Report September 4, 2004

Charlene Wittstock (Tuks) has shown a welcome return to form after an indifferent beginning to the year, when she posted a 28.81 well ahead of Romy Altmann's (Matties) 29.81.

Telkom South African SC Champs - Day 1 Report September 3, 2004
The ladies 100m backstroke is sure to be on of the highlight event of Friday's finals. Charlene Wittstock, now swimming for Tuks, showed a welcome return to form, her effort of 1:01.62 setting her apart from the pack who were headed by Melissa Corfe (1:03.15) and Romy Altmann (Maties) who recorded a time of 1:04.17. the medals are sure to be contested by this trio.

Telkom South African SC Champs - Day 3 Report September 4, 2004
Charlene Wittstock (Tuks) has shown a welcome return to form after an indifferent beginning to the year, when she posted a 28.81 well ahead of Romy Altmann's (Matties) 29.81.

 

[LadyMacAlpine]

Charlene had a good career until she hurt herself. She competed against American's, Aussies, Canadian's etc and beat many and or placed up there with them. Many of the people she was swimming against were younger than her.

Charlene Wittstock of South Africa powers through her women's 200m backstroke heat 21 September 2000 at Sydney International Aquatic center during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Charlene Wittstock qualified for the semi finals in 2:15. Insert Charlene Wittstock 2000 BelgaPictures go to page 5

 

[C4A]

Thank you, Lady M, for this comprehensive summary of P Charlene's swimming career. It seems her most successful period was 1999 - 2002. It is wonderful that she is still so passionate and giving back to the sport she loves so much!

 

[TRCRoyal]

So she had a very successful career until she got that shoulder injury in the late 2005,and she stopped until like March 2007. so what happened that made her retire earlier than she was planning?
p.s: it's good to have all these info to prove that she wasn't just sticking to Albert with no life!

 

[FanofMonaco]

I think injuries caused her to stop. And age.

 

[melina premiere]

Shedid even boxing during her swimming years funny photo

Gallo Images - south african charlene wittstock sebastiaan rothmann

 

[LadyMacAlpine]

September 25 2005
Back in competition for the first time since her shoulder injury will be national record-holder Charlene Wittstock, who will provide Corfe and Co with stiff competition in the backstroke events, while Wendy Trott of Cape Town will be pushing her rivals all the way in the longer freestyle events.

Aquatics | SA Swimming Upsets at KZN aquatic champs December 14, 2005
The women's 100m backstroke should be a classic with Corfe and KZN record holder and Olympian, Charlene Wittstock (Tuks), in a class of their own and Wittstock on the comeback trail.

Sasol Winter Championships - Day 1 - Finals
Event 107 Women 14 & Over 50 LC Meter Backstroke
Meet Record: @ 30.51 2001-07-02 Charlene L Wittstock
1 Wittstock, Charlene L 23 SGULL-KZ 30.51 31.12 12

 

[Jaya]

September 25 2005
Back in competition for the first time since her shoulder injury will be national record-holder Charlene Wittstock, who will provide Corfe and Co with stiff competition in the backstroke events, while Wendy Trott of Cape Town will be pushing her rivals all the way in the longer freestyle events.

Aquatics | SA Swimming Upsets at KZN aquatic champs December 14, 2005
The women's 100m backstroke should be a classic with Corfe and KZN record holder and Olympian, Charlene Wittstock (Tuks), in a class of their own and Wittstock on the comeback trail.

Sasol Winter Championships - Day 1 - Finals
Event 107 Women 14 & Over 50 LC Meter Backstroke
Meet Record: @ 30.51 2001-07-02 Charlene L Wittstock
1 Wittstock, Charlene L 23 SGULL-KZ 30.51 31.12 12

Many thanks Lady Mac..........
You would make a great Monaco historian

 

[melina premiere]

a princess Charlene' s swimming record felt yesterday evening

Chad clocks five titles; Wittstock's record bettered - Sport LIVE

 

[melina premiere]

I found the final of the medley olympic of swimming girls at Sydney, South Africa finished 5th , we see Charlene swimming, Franzeska Von Almsick and Tarra torres were swimming also they are now ambassadors of the foundation of Princess Charlene the team of USA was first of course. the language is in japan.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FcCE8v0t28

 

[C4A]

^^^ Thanks, melina p, that is a great find! I have been searching for this video a long time...


Sent from my iPad using The Royals Community

 

[Blog Real]

She developed a passion for swimming at a very early age.

In 1996, at 18, She won the South African Championship.

In 2000, Her team came in fifth at the Sydney Olympic Games. That same year, She won the gold medal for the 200m backstroke event at the "Marenostrum" international swimming meeting in Monaco. This is when she met Prince Albert for the first time, He was presiding over the international competition.

In 2002, She won three gold medals at the swimming World Cup (50m and 100m crawl, 4x100m relay) and the silver medal during the Manchester Commonwealth Games (4x100m medley relay).

In 2007, She ceased competing after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-s-h-princess-charlene/biography-1-6.html

 

[LadyMacAlpine]

This is much of what I posted before. Swimhistory.co.za

 

[Somebody]

https://www.palais.mc/en/princely-family/h-s-h-princess-charlene/biography-1-6.html

In 2007, She ceased competing after qualifying for the Beijing Olympics.

According to swimhistory she did NOT qualify for the Olympics (there are very few who do and then decide not to go); is the Palace sure she did?

A shoulder injury shortened her career and although she tried to return for the 2008 Olympics, she did not qualify.

 

[Lee-Z]

Indeed 'failed to qualify' seems more accurate, could be a typo on the palace website, if they instead of '...s'est..' had put '...n'est,..' it would have read "not qualify"

that does not diminish her achievements earlier in her career by the way, she was a national champion and participant in olympics (2000) world championships and several other major tournaments, that'sbot something everyone can say